I began messing around with my friend's guitar, and since I was coming along so well with it, he started pushing me to get a bass so we could play together. By the time I first talked with my parents about the possibility of getting a guitar of my own, they knew I was serious. I continued playing for about a year, until my life was changed by one man, Rusty Churchman.

Rusty became my mentor and worked me into a frenzy on theory, exercises, and how to all out shred when I wanted to. I sat at home hours at a time practicing just to impress him by the next week's lesson. It finally got to the point where he told my mother he was done. A little perplexed, my mom asked him why, because she knew how much I worked on my material. Rusty told her simply that either you have "it," or you don't. He said that not everyone can just pick up on things so quickly at such a young age and with hardly any experience. I reluctantly continued with my work, even without my guitar hero there to push me for more. My father supported me the whole way, in what many people would consider a bad way. He always made me practice, and at the time, I hated it. But now that I look back, I see why he wanted me to do so.

I eventually started Classical Guitar lessons with Peter Clemens of SLU, Music Theory classes at LCCC, and I enjoyed them very much. It broadened my horizons in many ways, and I have made it a point to bring everything I've learned to my electric guitar playing. Most people think I am just a rock and roll guitarist. But in reality, I also love the Blues, Jazz, Classical, Bluegrass, and Metal. I try to keep my eyes open so I can always have a different feel for something I write.

Some of my main influences include: John Petrucci, Al Dimeola, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Pado De Lucia, Andres Segovia, Rusty Cooley, Jimi Hendrix, Josh Homme, and Zakk Wylde. Listening to these virtuosos has kept me at the top of my game. I will always respect my influences, no matter how skilled I end up in the years to come. I try to strive to be the best I can be, and not the best out of everyone. I wouldn't consider myself a shredder, but a rhythm player, with melodic leads.

Aside from my music, I enjoy bowling, basketball, billiards, playing poker with my friends and family, weightlifting -- and when things get stressful, I hop on my Harley^® and go for a nice long ride with my Mom and Dad on their Harley^® and let the wind blow through my hair. These things keep me from thinking about music. I can't stand when people only want to talk about music with me, because that's all I ever hear. I wish people could see me as Tim Oertel, and not Tim the guitar player. I'm sure other musicians know exactly what I mean.

All in all, I'm just a 18 year old kid, who loves music, and always will. I plan on getting at least my Bachelor's in music and accounting. I hope the future holds well for me, since I've put so much time into it. I think Damone has opened a lot of doors for me, and I thank him a lot for that. He's probably the biggest influence on me, especially since I try -- note the word "TRY" -- to play drums. He brought me into a band that has an outstanding lead singer that's as strong at the end of the night as he is at the beginning. Matt you are awesome. I could not ever forget Shawn Lovell, so full of energy for life and one of the best bassist I know.

My final thought is I would like to take the time to thank all of the musicians I have been playing with for the past year. Your years of experience have taught me more than I could have imagined.