About
Meet Pete Vroman, a multi-talented musician hailing from Upstate New York. With a deep-rooted love of classic rock, the blues, progressive rock, psychedelia, and hard rock/metal, Pete’s musical journey began at the age of 14 when he picked up the electric guitar. During his high school years he performed in hard rock cover bands while also exploring the classical guitar, acoustic steel string guitar, and venturing into the world of musical composition.
Attending BERKLEE College of Music in Boston was a turning point for Pete. It was there that he crossed paths with future members of the renowned band DREAM THEATER – John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and John Myung. This fortuitous encounter led to close friendships and the invaluable opportunity to study and jam with them and several other exceptional musicians. Pete still marvels at the odds that brought them together, considering it a stroke of luck that surpasses winning the lottery.
The vibrant music scene in Austin, Texas where Pete later settled transformed his musical DNA. Though Wille Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Eric Johnson had already captured his admiration, Austin introduced him to a multitude of other guitarists, songwriters, and musicians who expanded his horizons even further. As far as guitarists go, there was: David Grissom, Van Wilks, Chris Duarte, Junior Brown, David Banks Sebree, Danny Barnes, Jimmy Vaughn, Doyle Bramhall II, Charlie Sexton, and many others. Pete absorbed all he could of the diverse styles and lessons of these uber-talented individuals by closely observing them at their live performances and by occasionally jamming alongside them.
In addition to those guitarists, Pete discovered a rich tapestry of influential Texas artists such as Delbert McClinton, Joe Ely, Shake Russell and Dana Cooper, Alan Haynes, WC Clarke, and Lou Ann Barton. Funk and soul music also left an indelible impression on him, inspiring him to explore the genre and study the guitar’s role within it. Pete’s musical ventures in Austin encompassed lead and rhythm guitar performance duties, collaborations with original bands, original recording sessions, musical theater, and the formation of his own instrumental fusion trio ‘BRIDGE.’ In addition to the hundreds of club gigs Pete played in Austin and through the Southwestern US during those years, the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival also provided him with multiple opportunities to showcase his skills. Pete likens his Austin years to the equivalent of attending the most awesome possible graduate school for American music….EVER! For 12 years, no less!
Returning to his hometown in Upstate NY in 1999, Pete’s musical journey continued to flourish. He further developed his hometown reputation a highly respected guitarist, an ace guitar instructor, and recording artist – lending his talents to various regional acts. Alongside teaching, gigs, and session work, Pete dedicated himself to writing and recording his own original songs. These fall predominantly within the AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) genre. His debut EP ‘SPRING’ (2015) captures the essence of feel-good rock with tracks like ‘Austin Song’, ‘I Feel You’, ‘Hey Hey, Amara!’, and ‘Realization’. Notably, ‘State of Grace’ and ‘Let Me Go’ explore deeper themes while still maintaining a melodic and uplifting approach.
July 2023 will see the release of Pete’s new EP, ‘Distance’. It showcases an eclectic range of musical genres, including Americana, reggae, psychedelia, and also a righteous nod to the New Orleans/Texas blues connection with the song ‘Powerless’. In addition to that track, and from the hypnotic reggae groove and powerful swinging feels of the EP opener, ‘Into the Fray’, to the wide open landscapes invoked on his meditation on wanderlust, ‘Destination’, to the joyous vibes of ‘Little Kiwi Puffy Face!’, to the contemplative, psychedelic, and raging sounds of ‘Tempus Fugit’, Pete’s newest music is a testament to his versatility and growth – both as an artist and guitarist. Diehard fans may also be interested to know that Pete’s formidable debut recording as a solo artist, ’SPRING’, is nearly finished being remastered. ’SPRING, remastered’ will be available for purchase November of ’23.
Join Pete Vroman on his musical journey as he delivers top-notch songs, outstanding performances, and an unwavering passion for rock ‘n roll and live music. Stay tuned to this website for updates on the release of new singles, contests, and links to exclusive content. Last but definitely not least, be part of the live experience and catch him in action!