Today we’d like to introduce you to Rey Castillo.
Rey, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always had a passion for music, when I was very young (8) my dad had taken me to my very first concert starring Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. Yes! Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash! I was hooked and was it was the beginning of my love for music. That same year our family acquired a piano.
My father already knew how to play from his three-year term of service with the US Army in Germany. He taught me the basics that led me to my love of playing music. I spent everyday listening and learning and getting a better understanding of music.
I had enlisted in the Army at the age 17. Shortly after I found myself in music store in Seattle holding a guitar for the first time. I had never played the guitar but I was determined to learn. That guitar followed me around the world during my 20 years of ups and downs while in the serving in the military. From playing in my barracks room for other soldiers, to dive bars and sitting on with local bands, playing the guitar opened the world of listening and sharing music!
After retiring from the Army, adjusting to civilian life proved more difficult than expected. Like an old friend, music was there to help me through it. Unable to find local bands, I sought out a way to connect to the local music scene more easily. After spending months creating a website for local musicians (localmusicexperince.com) and getting a positive response, I then decided to start an internet radio station now known as LME Live. I had partnered up with Cheryl Carhart who was very well known in the local music scene and she had led the way in introducing this new concept to all of the bands that we currently play.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been some struggles along the way. It did take quite a while to earn trust with the local bands. Introducing a new concept music platform is not task. Cheryl played a vital role in explaining to all musicians what we were all about. She is very good with people and is the cornerstone of why the radio Station is successful today.
On the tech side of things, there was a huge learning curve. My son Jonny, who is also a big music fan and guitarist, helped immensely with all of the tech support. He was able to help design the website and the LME Live app that is now available for free on the Apple Store and Google Play. From the coding to the artwork Jonny’s imagination really took things to the next level.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Local Music Experience – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Local Music Experience specializes in only playing local bands from Southern California. We are proud of the platform we have built for the simple fact that there is nothing like it. Our audience can tune in, listen and see the same bands perform every weekend. This is an internet radio station that really connects the bands that represent Southern California to the fans that love live music. Even during The Morning Commute, our new morning show, our listeners can participate simply by messaging us through our app. Whether its answering questions, asking questions, or even requesting songs, LME is truly a platform that unites the Southern California Music Scene.
I wanted to create a local music revolution that wasn’t influenced by the “bigger guy”. I want for our audience to understand that everything that is played on LME is homegrown and represents us. These are the musicians that grind it out 24/7 and are not heard. That’s where we come in. We truly bring fans and bands together.
You can download the LME Live App from the Apple App Store and Google Play simply by searching for LME Live or Local Music Experience.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Southern California has an endless supply of new bands and great music! If one would stop and listen to what our locals have to offer, they would soon find that we as a community surpass what is currently played on “Big Radio”. We love that we are constantly adding new music on a weekly basis. We love the camaraderie within the local bands and the scene as a whole! We also love all of the venues that are offered here in the Southland, From breweries to pubs and dive bars to huge venues SO Cal has what everything a music lover wants.
Having been a few places in my life. I don’t really dislike anything other than the traffic to get from venue to venue on the weekends. We work hard here at LME and we like to play hard as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: localmusicexperience.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @localmusicexperience
- Facebook: @localmusicexp
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