some tough years struggling to make it work, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm now able to play for a living and if fame and fortune come, it's a bonus.
KP: When did you start playing the guitar?
Hewitt: I got my first guitar when I was eleven because my older brother played and I followed whatever he did. I didn’t take it seriously until he quit and sold me all of his stuff when I was fourteen.
KP: Which styles did you study?
Hewitt: I started with rock and heavy metal and then found my way to classical, bluegrass, flamenco, country, etc. I learned how to read guitar tablature and watched as many videos as I could, regardless of the style.
KP: How long did you study guitar?
Hewitt: I feel I'm still studying the guitar (ha). Currently, I divide my time between writing and practicing. Right now I’m writing and only get to “play” at gigs. Once all the tracks are written for the next CD and it's time to work on the solos, I'll get back to my practice routine which consists of technique exercises and a pile of books and magazines to go through. I used to try to practice and compose at the same time and nothing seemed to get done.
KP: Were you a music major in college?
Hewitt: I have a performance degree in classical guitar from University of North Texas. I still do classical guitar gigs, too.
KP: I understand you have had a career in rock music and have been referred to as a “guitar god.” Pretty heady stuff! Did you record rock music? Tour? Are you still playing rock music as well as your original compositions?
Hewitt: I was in four different local bands over the years doing original music and trying to get labels interested enough to sign us. I've recorded eight independently-released CDs plus various studio sessions. I did regional touring, but nothing on a national level. The only rock I’m doing right now is studio work for an artist named Roxy Batz.
KP: How did you pick the title “Bajo El Sol” for your album?
Hewitt: I wanted a title that would encompass my writing influences and travels from around the world. I thought “Under the Sun” fit well.
KP: How is the album doing?
Hewitt: The response has been incredible. The first single, “Bajo el Sol,” reached the Top 20, and the second single, “Lydia,” reached the Top 15 on the smooth jazz indie charts. The singles have been on the charts now for over nineteen weeks. More than sixty-five stations have played tracks off the CD as well as Music Choice satellite and cable TV. The press reviews continue to come in from all over the world and they, too, have been incredible. I really appreciate you and other media outlets that give an unknown artist the opportunity to been seen and heard.
KP: Was nuevo flamenco a style you played on your own rather than in public while you were playing rock professionally?
Hewitt: I've always played nuevo flamenco at restaurants and cafes, but because I didn't have a CD or product to push until recently, I didn't bother with a website or a MySpace page. I used the time to learn songs and the technique required for this style of music, as well as to do research on other more-established artists to try to figure out what I could do that is different. I knew that if I wanted to get any kind of national attention, I had to have a lot of things in place and make a good first impression.
KP: What made you decide to focus on more of a Latin/World music style? I’ve never heard any of your rock playing, but this original music of yours seems so natural. It really stopped me in my tracks!
