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The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Thacher publishes bluegrass album

Thacher+publishes+bluegrass+album

willthachyWhile  pursuing the passion of playing instruments is nothing new, few have released albums in high school.

Senior Will Thacher is one of those few. Thacher co-published his album Monticello Tracks with his guitar teacher Mitch Polzak in early March.

“I started playing guitar about five years ago because my parents suggested that I pick it up,” Thacher said.  “I began with playing rock and roll, but progressed into playing bluegrass two years ago and have explored that genre a lot.”

Thacher’s teacher, Mitch Polzak, has taught Thacher a range of skills consisting of music technique, music theory and showmanship.

“I think it so important to understand not only how to play a song, but also why it works, how to learn and practice so that you are learning your instrument, and how music theory works,” Polzak said. “The classic saying of “Give a man a fish, he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime,” is one I follow each and every lesson.”

Pozak has never recorded an album with a student, but he chose Will because he believes in his skills.

“The first time in a studio is very intimidating and Will rose to the occasion,” Polzak said. “I played bass on the album as well to fill out the sound and it was mixed and mastered very well. It’s a product I’m proud to have my name on.”

Polzak, who has been teaching guitar, banjo, and mandolin for 15 years, has learned that it there is always a way to manifest your dreams and embody the change you want to see.  Polzak took this idea and decided he wanted to pass it along to students.

“I wanted him to have a professional representation of his ability and the knowledge that he can do this on that level if he tries,” Polzak said.

Thacher said playing guitar helps to vent energy and practice something that requires intellectual skill and hours of practice.

“I will always play guitar and I really hope I can learn more and produce more albums in the future,” Thacher said.

Senior Cameron Paton who attended the opening of Thacher’s album has supported him throughout his guitar playing career and feels excited to listen to  his growth.

“I’ve been periodically listening to him since sixth grade and he’s really progressed and become quite good,” Paton said. “I hope he makes a second sometime in the future.”

Paton said that while he doesn’t listen to bluegrass that much, he really enjoys listening to the album.

“It’s a different genre of music than I’m used to, but to hear my buddy make the guitar wail like that is awesome,” Paton said.  “If you don’t have the album, go buy it.”

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