Playing music since I was 9, guitar since I was 13. Joining choir was my first musical experience other than toying with the keyboard for fun.

I use ibanez gear primarily at the moment... Got 2 old Ibanez Gio's (budget models) that still play like a dream... so well that i still use them when recording sometimes... but my main battle axe is an RG from early 2008, not sure of the model.

B-52 amplifiers currently....

If I had my dream gear? I'd be using a '59 Les Paul Deluxe, A couple vintage strats and tele's, maybe a jazzmaster thrown in.... and probably either Orange or Marshall cabs with a Mesa head.

One day... -_- ::sighhhh::

How the hell is someone only supposed to pick 1 influence as the biggest?! Doesn't work like that for me unfortunately...

Early on, I was obsessed with playing a lot of Mike Mushok's material, as well as Mark Tremonti when I was a youngster... The first actual piece of a song I taught myself was the intro to "what if" by creed... hate creeed all you want - doesn't change that Mark can play that damn guitar.... Mike M. and Mark Tremonti both definitely formed and molded a lot of the way I approach playing - even today still... They were the foundation of my influences, so to speak...

A few influences who have pushed me to new levels in recent years are Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck, Tosin Abasi, Paul Wagner, George Lynch, and Phil Keaggy.

www.facebook.com/thegodawfultruth

www.facebook.com/renrisnermusic

www.soundcloud.com/thegodawfultruth

www.soundcloud.com/renrisner

Joe Bonamassa - that's both my answer and my explanation. Lol.

Biggest, not sure of an actual head count but the entire WFHS auditorium packed full, the RHS auditorium packed full, and then there was a show @ the plano centre where we filled up the room, easily 300+ for that one i'd guess.... but i didn't count so don't hold me to that....

Definitely planning to top those performances by A LOT though if I can help it...and sooner than later!