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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 24, 2010
Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
The man who would be ‘King’ Mostly self-taught musician sets sights on concert win, more BY JEFF GOODMAN Californian staff writer jgoodman@bakersfield.com
T
yler Hengtgen has a case of the blues. A very good case. The 20-year-old guitarist recently emerged as the Bakersfield store finalist of Guitar Center’s national “King of the Blues” competition, surprising the judges — and his well-seasoned opponents — with his strumming skills. He’s in Pasadena today for district-level duel, and he’s hoping to advance to the regional finals in Hollywood next month. The thing with Hengtgen, though, is that the blues only make up a pick-sized portion of his musical palette. “Blues isn’t the main thing I like to play,” he said. “It’s one of the many things. I’ve played jazz, rock, funk, all different things. I’m really into everything.” Hengtgen begins rattling off his favorite musicians — Guthrie Govan, Tommy Emmanuel, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King — and it sounds like he could make a list as long as the neck of his sunburst orange Peavey HP Special guitar. He tabs Jimi Hendrix’s slowgrooving “Little Wing” as one of his favorite all-time songs, yet there’s a video clip on YouTube of him flying up and down the fretboard for a section of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.” He surfs the Web with an eye for the unknown, constantly searching for gifted guitarists from this genre and that. Why bother with a blues contest? After his older brother, Nick, piqued his interest, Hengtgen began learning guitar during his first year at Liberty High School — mostly on his own. He didn’t join the band, hasn’t formed one of his own and only took lessons from Bill O’Neill at now-closed Stockdale Music for a short while during his junior year. Despite not having much blues background or any public performing under his belt, Hengtgen entered last year’s edition of the annual competition following a friend’s suggestion. He didn’t get past the first round.
HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN
Tyler Hengtgen, 20, is Bakersfield Guitar Center’s finalist in the “King of the Blues” competition and advances to the district level competition in Pasadena today.
What he did get, however, was the urge to try again. He worked on improvising, mostly by jamming with friends, and improved his technical skills. Maybe more importantly, he overcame some nerves by playing guitar with a buddy between classes at Bakersfield College, turning passers-by into impromptu crowds. This year, he couldn’t wait to be on stage. “Leading up to playing, it was pretty nerve-wracking,” said Hengtgen. “But once you’re playing, it’s a whole different thing. I’m just going along with the music. “It’s a little different performing for judges, knowing that you’re being judged on what you do, but that’s the only difference.” After three preliminary rounds in May and a store final at Guitar Center on Ming Avenue, Hengtgen wasn’t just being judged. He was being hailed. Once the panel announced Hengtgen as the winner, contestants shook his hand and patted him on the back. They told him “Good job!” and wished him congratulations, probably wondering where in the blues he came from. “He took everybody by surprise,” said Tommy Sosebee, the
Tyler Hengtgen began learning guitar during his first year at Liberty High School — mostly on his own.
store’s guitar department manager. “There were a lot of older guys, and he kind of swept it out from under them.” Hengtgen’s showing kept him in the running for a prize package that includes $25,000 cash, endorsement deals from Gibson and Ernie Ball and a feature in Guitar World magazine. No store finalist from Bakersfield has ever advanced beyond the district level, Sosebee said, but he sees no reason why Hengtgen can’t shred that trend. “He’s exactly what the judges are looking for — taste, tone, phrasing,” Sosebee said. “Actually putting some emotion into
it. He’s got as good a shot as anyone.” And even if the competition doesn’t pan out favorably for Hengtgen, a future in music won’t lose its appeal. Once he completes his general education requirements at Bakersfield College, he hopes to attend the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. The budding guitarist is also interested in recording and “that whole side of it.” This whole side of it — the self-teaching, genre-hopping, blues-playing, judge-wowing side — he’s pretty much taken care of.
Travel club plans trip to Greece, Turkey BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing columnist
In preparation for a 10-day trip to Greece and Turkey, members of the Kern County European Travel Club are getting an overview of what they’ll see. Jim Engel, the leader, said the theme is “In the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul.” At the group’s twice monthly meetings he shows videos of the places they will visit and has produced a digital schematic, or map, of Paul’s first century journey. His wife, Leasa Sukut-Engel, discusses books she’s read on the subject. On July 1 the Engels will have a booth at a Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce event at the Double Tree Hotel and will provide information for anyone interested in joining the club. Also being planned is a tour next April to the Netherlands and Belgium. All told, he’s been leading tours for about 24 years. “I’ve been doing this since the 1980s when I taught international studies at Bakersfield College,” Engel said.”I used to take lots of students and faculty almost every year.” Now that he’s retired, Engel acts as a host guide and donates $25 per traveler to the California Retired Teachers Association for scholarships. He noted that since he’s not a travel agent, he makes trip arrangements through Globus. Safety is the primary concern of today’s travelers, Engel said, and he offers several pieces of advice to help people feel more comfortable. In addition to watching out for pickpockets, there’s a much greater need these days to be aware of your immediate surroundings, and to notice what’s going on around you. He also advises wearing clothing that isn’t especially colorful or of a design that makes you conspicuous. “You don’t want to stand out,” he explained. “You want to blend in, to mix with the rest of society.” Overall, though Engel takes a philosophical approach to traveling in foreign countries, “The way I look at it, everybody has a number,” meaning when it’s your time to go, you’ll go. “I don’t worry — God’s in control.”
Kern County European Travel Club What: Orientation and registration for “The Footsteps of Apostle Tour,” traveling to Greece and Turkey When: 10 a.m. Saturday Information: For location and other details, call Jim Engel at 399-6507.