Jason Becker

“People often comment on the feeling and soul in my music, and I think part of that comes from the honesty and diversity of the kids I went to school with and jammed with.”

“It is just satisfying to think that, somehow, my music and my story could touch someone and make them want to make their own life better.”

“I love Richmond. I think growing up here had a profound influence on my music.”

“I am not a perfect saint, by any means.”

“In my first label Shrapnel Records I wasn't expected to do anything except the creative music that I wanted to do. I was my own boss, which is great.”

“I still have downs and get depressed, but I try not to dwell too much on being negative because it always passes and there is still so much to do.”

“You know, some people think since I can't move I am a vegetable. Wrong. Just picture yourself as you are, just always sitting down and if you need something a hot babe takes care of you. I am exaggerating a little, but this is how I see it.”

“My parents thought art was important and a lot of my childhood was spent doing some form of it or another.”

“Age doesn't affect me. With ALS, I am just stoked to have another year.”

“Not playing guitar has been the hardest thing about having ALS.”

“I think mostly music just felt good because my parents gave me a real good childhood so I was rarely sad.”

“I think music comes out of silence... and I have a lot of silent time, without a pesky guitar interrupting my thoughts.”

“I am such a sucker for love; to me, it feels like the reason we are here - to love and be happy.”

“I am mostly a positive person and I think I always have been.”

“I guess I would say true happiness is to love and be loved. Of course, having enough money for food, shelter, health care and things like that all help, but that is more about security.”

“I got my first guitar for Christmas when I was five years old.”

“I spend time editing and massaging each note. Then I start layering with different instruments, adding harmonies, counterpoint, and whatever the song calls for. Then I arrange it into a whole piece, and decide where I need to add live musicians. It takes a lot of time, but it is very satisfying once it is complete.”

“I love soundtracks to movies and am always touched by the music if it's good. The music in some old Disney movies, like 'Pinocchio,' 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Peter Pan' really gets to me.”

“Not being able to play makes one be able to listen and receive better. The constant noodling on guitar can be great, but also distracting to the universal music inside you.”

“I remember when I was first losing my ability to play my fast licks and my hands were shaking and falling off the guitar. It forced me to sort of create a new slow style.”