Life & Work with Carl Verheyen of Topanga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Verheyen.

Hi Carl, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started playing guitar on my 11th birthday, the day I received a $30 instrument after begging for one for 2 years! I got my first guitar lesson later that same day and really never looked back. I’ve made my living ever since as a guitar player, with the exception of a 3 month stint as a box boy in the Safeway market at age 16.
After the usual high school bands in the Pasadena area, I spent a summer at Berklee College of Music in Boston before returning to California. Eventually I broke into the lucrative studio scene and played on hundreds of records, TV shows and motion picture sound tracks. A few years ago I was a featured soloist at the Academy Awards, playing live to a TV audience of more than 67 million. But in 1985 I joined the British rock band Supertramp and began touring all over the world, playing stadiums and arenas. This notoriety was helpful in starting my own band in 1987. And as a solo artist / band leader I have released 17 of my own CDs, mixing the Carl Verheyen Band with solo acoustic releases.
And as educator I’ve taught advanced courses at USC and Musicians Institute, as well as providing one-on-one guitar lessons for John Fogerty, James Valentine from Maroon 5 and Shavo from System of a Down.
The CVB has already toured the midwest, east coast and west coast this year and we are booked for the month of October in Europe. Next month I begin recording a new record and as usual I’m practicing every day towards the goal of making it my best one ever.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have not suffered as a musician. I remember my Dad on the phone as he was looking at my website. He said, “you’ve got nothing coming up! Nothing on the books!” And I said, “something will come up, it always does!” And it’s true, if you put in the hours you will always work. But my transition from full time studio musician to full time solo artist was a bit rocky. It was a choice I made and I was ready to suffer the financial downturn until I was established in a new career. Now I produce other artists, perform master classes and clinics all over the world and of course tour with my band. So under the banner of “solo artist” there are many income streams.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m known as a guitar player primarily, and one that can play almost any style of music with conviction. I specialize in rock, blues, jazz and country music but most of my focus these days is on my own music. Artistically I’m most proud of my albums and exciting live concerts. But personally I believe a huge measure of success is that I’ve been able to support my family without compromising my own musical integrity or their comfort all these years.
My favorite musicians are the ones that you can recognize in 3 notes. I strive for that stylistic identity and I believe that sets me apart from all the others!

How do you define success?
As I said previously, I believe a huge measure of success is being able to support my family without compromising my own musical integrity or their comfort. After years of working in the LA studio scene, I found myself playing a concert with my band in Copenhagen, Denmark. The entire front row was singing the lyrics I had written in my kitchen, 6,000 miles away. I felt really successful that night!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CarlVerheyen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carl_verheyen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook/carlverheyen-official
• Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/CarlVerheyen