The Fender Stratocaster shaped American culture and society througout the 20th century and continues to operate as an outlet of emotional, creative, and political expression for both professional, amateur, and beginner musicians. When I was about six years old, I expressed my desire to learn to play guitar. My father bought me a Squier Strat (Squier is a Fender brand). Unfortunately, I never got around to guitar lessons and my green and white electric guitar remained unused for years. Although I have always loved listening to and discovering music, my inspiration for writing was ignited when my father bought Cakewalk Music Creator. Even though I didn't know how to play the guitar and was not going to record actual instruments, the door for composing was opened. One day I would be like all the greats who wrote their own music and played on their Strats: Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, John Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mark Knopfler, and many more. I could see my name with theirs, in the annals of great singer/songwriters that made rock and roll what it is today. The Fender Stratocaster, which was the predecessor of my Squier, was a symbol of what I could be--the heights I could attain as a songwriter. I attempted to teach myself guitar through tenth grade and received help from one of the teachers at my old school. Now I am still passionate about writing and playing music, and continue to teach myself guitar and piano (which supplements my guitar songwriting). And when I look at the Fender Strats and the list of amazing musicians that played it, I know that when I am an established musician I won't be playing their songs...I'll be playing mine.
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