'Shredder' Mike Harrison gets endorsement contract

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — Sometimes, exposure in a local paper can lead to recognition and job opportunities in faraway places.
Take guitarist and Milford native Mike Harrison, for example. He was featured in the Courier back in November 2014, in an article titled "Ready to Shred" (http://bit.ly/2aKcxRI). He recently signed an endorsement contract with Kingdom Guitars in Bristol, England, thanks to the article. And that contract in turn landed him a job teaching at the famed School of Rock in the Pittsburgh area, where he now lives.
But not so long ago, his path to guitar excellence did not seem assured. Playing the guitar had always been close to his heart, he said. But when he was still in school, money was short. A friend gave him an old guitar he’d bought in a secondhand store, but Harrison's parents couldn’t afford lessons.
“No guitar lessons were available through the school,” he said a little ruefully.
The Delaware Valley schools had many music programs, including orchestra, jazz band, and choir, he said. — but no guitar.
“So I just taught myself,” he said. "We played anyway, in between classes and after gym, whenever we could find a few moments."
Harrison and his friends brought their instruments to school. Even James Fazzino, an English teacher, joined in, bringing along his own guitar.

Loves to teach

After obtaining his bachelor’s and master's degree in music, Harrison got two breaks.
Somehow, Kingdom Guitars, from across the Atlantic, had seen The Pike County Courier's story online, describing Harrison’s career so far, and got in touch. The conversation resulted in an endorsement contract in which Harrison agrees always to play their guitars, for as long as they back him. That break, in turn, resulted in Harrison landing a job at the School of Rock franchise, beating out among many other applicants. The owner in Pittsburgh area has two School of Rock locations, and Harrison works both as a co-coordinator and as a teacher.
“At the moment, I have students ranging from five- to six year-olds to people in their 30s, 40,s and beyond,” he said.
All are one on one lessons at the moment, but plans are under way to start classes.
“It helped that I could show I had had exposure overseas, a contract, and also been written about,” Harrison said. “For someone who's a Milford native, these things are a big deal, and I just wanted to thank the Courier for allowing them to happen."
Harrison’s chance meeting with a famous guitarist, Michael Angelo Batio, earlier lead to a collaboration on an advanced method book for guitar players.
Many guest players join his band as it plays around the Pittsburgh area. Some even come from the Milford area, including Mike Trentacosta, a drummer.
Harrison is also working on a Ph.D in education and plans to continue teaching, giving fledging new guitarists the lessons he never had when he was learning.
“I love to be able to show people how to play," he said.
Editor's note: Anyone else looking for "The Courier bump" is invited to get in touch with us at editor.pcc@strausnews.com.