Greenwich Time: Check It Out
Greenwich CT

Barbara Heins
Staff Writer

Published August 28 2006

Ravi cut his musical chops right here in Greenwich while attending the town's public schools. He took guitar lessons at Greenwich Music, played with fellow students, built a recording studio in the basement of his mother's home in Old Greenwich. It was there that Ravi formed friendships, including composer and musician extraordinaire Rob Mathes, that lead him to a pretty notable career.

He played backup guitar for the popular kid band The Hansons in the late 1990s. That lead to gigs ranging from early morning and late night television and for U.S. presidents as well. Ravi's found several niches that he's nurturing in the music industry including mentoring and advising students who want to play the guitar either as a profession or an avocation. He also is clinician for several guitar manufacturers including Greg Bennett and Samick electric guitars and regularly writes for music magazines.

He hasn't forgot his roots and will be returning to Greenwich, where his family still lives. On Sept. 10 he'll be giving one of his clinics at Greenwich Music before heading for the Norwalk Oyster Festival where he and some "former band-mates" will reunite to perform as the opening act for the band Asia.

Ravi spent some time answering questions from Check It Art!'s Barbara Heins in an e-interview – and here's what he has to say.

GT: You have settled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. That's a long way from suburban Greenwich and from, as you have described some of your credits, "the dives of Manhattan." What prompted your decision to settle there and what impact has it had on your music?

In between Greenwich and the Blue Ridge, I lived for three years in New Orleans until 2003. Towards the latter part of my stay in the "Big Easy," I wanted to get back on the road and spend more time touring. I found myself in the Northeast quite often, lecturing at universities and music conferences, and performing at festivals. New Orleans was just too far, and during my travels, I stumbled on Charlottesville – a very charming and arts-oriented city.

I found a great house on a beautiful property with the historic James River running through my "yard" (Generals Lee and Grant literally traversed across my property with their troops). It's quite fascinating to live in the midst of American history. Since most of my work is on the road, living in the "back of beyond" also creates a nice balance. I am a bit of a recluse off the road, so it is a great opportunity to focus on my writing and record in a very serene but inspirational setting. That's probably the most significant impact it has on my music. However, I am also starting to work with a few locals, and there is a significant music industry presence here with Dave Matthews Band, Bruce Hornsby, Mary Chapin Carpenter and others. I look forward to expanding my own musical horizons here.

GT: You will be giving an "Instant Guitarification" clinic at Greenwich Music on Sept. 10. What is that all about? What can aspiring musicians expect to learn from this clinic? Are there any prerequisites for students who would like to attend?

I've been doing this clinic all around the country for about two years now, and it is really exciting to bring it to the place where my own studies began, and where I taught so many others. This clinic is open to everyone – all ages, all levels. It really is about music and sound, and allows music enthusiasts to have a better understanding of how music is created ... they'll hear music in a way they have never heard it before! Guitarists (and potential guitarists) will get many ideas on how to be more creative in their approach to the instrument, learn about the attributes of different types of guitars and how it impacts their music, as well as discover how they can incorporate other instruments and equipment into their own vocabulary. I've also had pianists, drummers, and other instrumentalists attend clinics who really enjoyed themselves and walked away feeling inspired.

I'll bring many stories about my career into the clinic, giving folks an idea of what it is like at the top of the music industry, as well as music business tips on how to get there. Above all, I try to make the clinic accessible and entertaining for everyone, musicians and non-musicians alike. It really is a relaxed, fun, and informative interactive experience with the audience.

GT: You also will be performing at the Norwalk Oyster Festival with your "old tri-state band mates." Who will be performing with you? How often do you get together with them and perform? What do you have planned for your Oyster Festival gig?

There are quite a few musicians based in the tri-state area with whom I have worked over the years. I come back to perform once every two years or so, and I like to try to put together a slightly different combination of musicians each time. This year is especially interesting because I have Tom Hartlett from Stamford on keyboards – who played with me in high school as well as the last two times I played the Oyster Festival in 2003 and 2004, Jordan Jancz from Bridgeport on bass – who played on my CD as well as with my first band post Hanson, and Tony Cruz from Nyack, N.Y. on drums – who I have only "jammed" with in the past but have always been a big fan of his playing since seeing him occasionally perform with Rob Mathes. It will be a one-hour set of energetic original music.

GT: And how might the Oyster Festival gig be different from performances when you're on the road? By the way, how many concerts do you perform in a year?

Most of my recent performances have been solo acoustic. This will actually be the first and possibly only band gig in 2006. So, it will be a unique event. I don't perform too many concerts these days, as I am trying to be very selective about the ones that I do play – I want them to be nothing short of great. Last month, I went to France to perform at a festival which was absolutely wonderful. In general, I now only perform about a dozen shows per year.

GT: What do you do when you're not on the road?

Mostly manage my career! As an independent, predominantly self-managed artist, the work never stops. Since I also write for trade magazines, I find myself catching up on the articles when I am home. The "time off" seems to disappear quite quickly. However, I love to go for walks with my wife (who helps me manage my career and also travels with me most of the time), take in a few movies, and enjoy some rest and relaxation outdoors! Additionally, I spend time in my studio writing and recording.

GT: It would be great if you could talk a bit about how your career evolved. You've taught guitar lessons here in Greenwich. You have toured with the Hansons. You've appeared on "Late Night" with David Letterman; "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno; "Saturday Night Live," the whole morning television show circuit and even for presidents. Any particular moment stand out as a defining moment of your career? What has been most memorable?

When I look back on what I've done, I feel really good about it and also really confident about how much more I can do ahead. Growing up in the suburbs of New York afforded me many opportunities since there was a high level of professional music all around. My former guitar teacher who still lives in Stamford, (John) Ratso (Gerardi), was a huge influence on me – not only as a teacher, but as an inspiration and guide to having a career in music. Another key figure was Ron Frangipane, a former Greenwich resident who produced jingles in the best studios in New York. He took me under his wing and really showed me what professionalism is by exposing me to the best of the best. These influences made me work harder, not only as a musician, but as a music business person.

While carrying a full load of students at Greenwich Music (where I really learned the value of teaching and garnered effective communication skills), I built a recording studio in my mother's basement in Old Greenwich. Local musicians including Rob Mathes frequently came over to do some work. Rob later turned out to be a key player in my career because when he was the musical director for Vanessa Williams, he connected me with Mercury records when they were planning to put Hanson on the road in 1997. That was the year when I lived and exceeded most of my childhood dreams – playing the shows you mentioned, as well as performing at Madison Square Garden. For most musicians growing up in the New York area, the "Garden" is truly a dream come true.

I subsequently got a book deal with Simon & Schuster. "Dancin' with Hanson" is my tour journal, which really gives the reader a chance to see what it is like touring with what was the top-selling band in the world that year. The book launched my writing career, and now I contribute articles every month to leading music industry trade magazines.

Additionally, the Hanson experience taught me so much about the music industry, and I have been able to put all of it together and join the college lecture circuit, helping up-and-coming musicians break into the professional music business. I started "Instant Guitarification" two years ago when Samick – the world's largest guitar manufacturer – asked me to represent them as a clinician. The clinics are great, as each one brings me back to the day it all began – the simplicity of just a guitar and an idea. I savour the opportunity to share that with budding musicians all around the country at independently owned and operated music retailers – who I believe are the soul of local music scenes and artistic/cultural advancement, but fighting a vicious battle with "soulless" mass-market consumerism. At a time when music education is disappearing from schools, local music retailers are crucial, and I work hard to support them and to inspire the public to do the same.

GT: How would you like to be remembered in the music industry? What would be your legacy?

Perhaps the most important thing that I do in the industry these days is regularly lecture at music conferences and universities, such as Berklee College of Music. My primary subject is "Maintaining Artistic Integrity While Running Your Career as a Business." I'm a big believer that this is an important message not only for artists, but also in terms of how artists impact society. Too many artists are chasing the corporate concept of what art needs to be in order to reach the mainstream.

The music industry operates on a business model that doesn't really work and also diminishes the quality of art. If artists don't recognize that the value of their work lies in the purity of the creation – art for art's sake – I fear for the advancement of art and culture. Artists must challenge their audiences, not simply entertain them. The industry must learn the value of that and how to market it, as opposed to letting the marketing research dictate the art.

Therefore, I would hope to be remembered as someone who empowered artists to pursue their craft with absolute artistic integrity and at the same time helped the industry (including independent artists themselves) understand how to cultivate a business that successfully promotes truly artistic creations. On a more individual level, I hope to inspire everyone who attends my clinics to pursue their dreams and live their lives to the fullest.

GT: Any disappointments with your career so far? Is there anything that you would change?

It's hard to say, as of course having a hit song, playing stadiums nightly, and being revered as one of the finest musicians to ever grace the planet would be nice! At the same time, I truly love how I spend my time. In some respects, the diversity in my career may also be the hindrance. However, as the saying goes, "variety is the spice of life," and my life is pretty spicy! My goal has always been to work hard at my career, be in control of my time, and earn the respect of my peers in the industry. I'm accomplishing all of that.

GT: What's in the future for Ravi - both immediate plans and those for the future? What haven't you done that you just can'' wait to accomplish?

The next project on my horizon is a new band and a new CD. I love playing with my old mates in Connecticut and New Orleans when I'm in those areas, but I'm ready for a more stable and creative "unit." I'm meeting musicians in Charlottesville, and I look forward to having such a project when I am home. In terms of something I haven't done before, I will soon begin working on writing a play/musical. That seems to be a perfect marriage of my music and text writing interests, and it's something that I have always wanted to do.

GT: Ravi, if there's something I didn' task you about but you're champing at the bit to tell me about it, go for it.

I want to thank Greenwich Music for hosting the clinic and presenting me at the Oyster Festival. I hope a variety of people come down to the store since "Instant Guitarification" really appeals to broad audience with an interest in music. The focus is guitar and music careers, but it is really about creativity and the fulfillment of dreams – which applies to everyone. More information can be found at www.HeyRavi.com. Also, in this day and age of mass-market consumerism and chain stores (I barely recognize Greenwich Avenue anymore), I think it is a great opportunity for everyone to rediscover the value of local retailers. Greenwich Music in their new Riverside location has a lot to offer the community in terms of arts education and musical inspiration.

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Check It Art! highlights the members of the visual and performing arts scenes that help to make Greenwich the vibrant arts community it is, as well as news in the arts community. It appears on the second and fourth Monday of each month. To submit suggestions or information for Check It Art!, e-mail barbara.heins@scni.com