THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT with Shane Cortese
Mairangi Bay’s Chet O’Connell
How many of us dream of playing an E power chord on a 62 Stratocaster in front of 200,000 people? Most of us have done it in the comfort of our lounge with only a vivid imagination between dreams and reality.
Just up in Mairangi Bay lives my mate Chet O’Connell. Chet has lived that dream many times. He is quite possibly the most in-demand lead guitarist on the New Zealand circuit.
With a name like Chet it was really only going to ever be one occupation that this talented young man was going to pursue. He picked up his first guitar at four years old and played his first song “Cottonfields” six months later! His father Johnny was an accomplished guitarist in Whangarei and Chet joined his band at the ripe old age of 11 years old and played his first professional gig not long after.
26 years later Chet is one of New Zealand’s hardest working guitarists. One could imagine that having achieved many musical goals he could sit back and watch the work come in.
Now I know Chet personally, not only is he a great friend but he is my lead guitarist with the Class of 58. I am continually astounded by the level and frequency of practice he does every day to maintain that level of professionalism.
As most people go to the office for a full day, so does Chet. His office is his studio where no less than eight hours a day is spent honing his already expert skills, not only by continual scales and riffs but also by listening to the masters of guitar, and replicating their music until perfect
Chet has recently played alongside music legend Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers fame. In fact this was the second time Chet has played alongside the Liverpool legend and is now in negotiations to play his next Australian tour as Gerry was so enamored with his skill and stagecraft.
Next up for the North Shore local is standing beside John Rowles on his upcoming national Farewell Tour. This concert is sure to be a huge success and in no small way as a result of the many hours of practice to perfection by the guy standing slightly behind John’s right shoulder.
Get your tickets today for the concert on the 12th of August at the Bruce Mason Centre and look out for the lad with the Orange Strat. He’s not bad!!
See you at the show!
Shane Cortese – shane@channelmag.co.nz
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