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Photo credit: Brian Vaughn
We live in a world where precision and technical mastery often dominate the conversation about guitar playing, there exists a rare breed of musicians who thrive on unpredictability. The unpredictable guitarist is not just a player of notes—they are a force of spontaneity, capable of transforming a song, a stage, or even a single chord progression into something alive, surprising, and electric.
At the heart of this approach is intuition. Unpredictable guitarists trust their instincts, allowing riffs, solos, and textures to evolve organically in the moment. They bend rhythm, bend tone, and bend expectation, creating a sense of immediacy that keeps both bandmates and audiences on edge. In live performances, this unpredictability becomes a signature—no two shows are ever the same. A standard song can suddenly twist into a swirling solo, a sudden tempo shift, or an unexpected harmonic detour, giving the music a life of its own.
Influences from rock legends often serve as a blueprint, but the unpredictable guitarist goes further, refusing to be confined by tradition. Think of the chaos in Jimi Hendrix’s solos, the angularity of Johnny Greenwood’s riffs, or the explosive energy of Jack White. These musicians prove that controlled chaos can be as expressive as technical perfection. The key is balance: an unpredictable guitarist must maintain cohesion, ensuring that even the wildest improvisation enhances the song rather than derailing it.
Being unpredictable is not about reckless playing—it is about creative courage. It requires deep technical skill, a strong understanding of musical theory, and confidence to make split-second decisions on stage or in the studio. The unpredictable guitarist listens as much as they play, responding to the band, the crowd, and even the moment itself. Every note becomes a dialogue, every riff a potential twist, and every solo a narrative journey.
In essence, the unpredictable guitarist brings energy, excitement, and suspense to music. They remind us that guitar is not just an instrument, but a voice capable of emotion, surprise, and even storytelling. For audiences, it’s a thrill; for fellow musicians, it’s inspiration. And for the guitarist themselves, it’s a path of endless discovery—one where rules exist only to be bent, and the next note is never quite what you expect.
Spencer Waasdorp: Nashville’s Emerging Guitar Voice
In the bustling musical landscape of Nashville, some artists arrive quietly but leave a lasting impression—and Spencer Waasdorp seems to fit that mold. From sneaking into his sister’s room at the age of five to play a toy keyboard, his father bringing home a drum kit to be left in the family at age 6, to picking up his first guitar at twelve, Waasdorp’s early life was marked by a deep curiosity and passion for music. At the age of 15, Waasdorp started playing in bars and clubs in the Rochester, NY area and surrounding counties, being involved in the local music scene. His dedication carried him through formal studies in Jazz Guitar and Audio Recording Technology at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY, equipping him with both technical skill and artistic vision.
Relocating to Nashville in 2013, Waasdorp stepped into one of the country’s most competitive music scenes with a clear sense of purpose. According to local coverage, a turning point came during a live performance of “Johnny B. Goode” with a local band in NY at the age of 14.
It was his first time to ever set foot on a stage. The thrill of the stage, combined with the unpredictability of live performance, convinced him that this was where he belonged. On stage, he is described as a “rock n’ roll buff,” delivering energetic, charismatic performances, while off-stage, his approachable personality contrasts with the intensity of his music, making him a compelling figure both personally and artistically.
Despite these promising beginnings, public information on Waasdorp remains scarce. Beyond a single feature article, no official discography, or streaming releases have been verified. His social media profiles seem to be the only outlet to keep people up to date on his career, mainly under the stage name of “Chuck Hollywood.” Social media shows he has played with multiple artists in Nashville such as Adam Doleac and currently Brantley Gilbert, as well as studio sessions for independent artists, but broader coverage in music media is limited. This lack of visibility suggests that Waasdorp is either still emerging or operating primarily within the local music scene in Nashville, TN.
Nevertheless, the glimpses of his work hint at an artist driven by both skill and passion. With a foundation in rock, jazz guitar and audio production, and a clear love for live performance, Spencer Waasdorp represents the kind of emerging talent whose presence may soon ripple beyond Nashville. For now, he stands as a testament to the dedication and quiet ambition that underpins the journey of many rising musicians—an artist whose story is just beginning to unfold.
INTERVIEW WITH SPENCER WAASDORP AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: How would you describe your approach to unpredictability on the guitar, and what draws you to it?
Spencer: Hard to explain, but as far as my approach, I just hear certain things in my head while I’m playing and run with it. It’s something I can feel...and I love discovering what kind of magic can be created in the moment. In that moment, you’d be surprised what comes to mind in a split second, which makes for an unpredictable performance whether on stage or in the studio.
Guitar Thrills: Do you plan your “unexpected” moments in a song, or do they mostly happen spontaneously?
Spencer: They almost always happen spontaneously! Which makes it fun!
Guitar Thrills: Which guitarists or bands inspired your sense of improvisation and unpredictability?
Spencer: I was a big fan of a lot of bands and players, but I would have to say the biggest would be Angus Young of AC/DC starting the spark, then Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan. They were all responsible early on for showing me what is possible on a guitar and what they can do on the fly while performing.
Guitar Thrills: How do you balance technical skill with the freedom to take risks in a live performance?
Spencer: Technical skill and taking risks go hand-in-hand. Knowing your instrument and its limits, along with music theory, helps make those risks happen. You know what notes fit in a song, but maybe it’s the sequence or pattern of those notes you’re unsure of in a live setting. A lot of magic that players discover is from taking risks. You discover new things all the time!
Guitar Thrills: Have there been moments on stage where an unpredictable riff completely changed a song? Can you share an example?
Spencer: There have been yes, but mostly in a studio setting where you hear something in your head and you try it, and it ends up being the main melody or becomes some sort of foundation for the song. While not playing for artists on the road and playing locally, there may be times where a riff is played and the band picks up on it and becomes part of the song because collectively everyone enjoyed it. Then it becomes a staple every time you play “that” song whatever it may be because it’s fun and changes things up a bit.
Guitar Thrills: Do you think unpredictability comes more from personality, technique, or intuition?
Spencer: All three of those play a big part in being “unpredictable,” but I think intuition and personality is what brings spice and flavor to anything. Anyone can be taught technique, but it’s a matter of applying it. Can’t teach personality and intuition – they are what brings excitement to me.
Guitar Thrills: How do you communicate with your bandmates during improvised or unexpected passages?
Spencer: In the music/touring world, there are generic hand signals or motions universally understood that let others know something is going to be different in a performance, or maybe a “talk back” microphone onstage used only for the bands ears to communicate, but majority of the time, personally, I’ve been lucky to play with musicians who also have a great sense of improvising and know how to listen and feel what’s to come. Having chemistry with amazing players is an incredible thing, you can almost read each other’s minds and travel together in a song if that makes sense. It’s a very rewarding feeling!
Guitar Thrills: Are there particular genres or styles where unpredictability comes more naturally to you?
Spencer: I am a rock guy and was brought up that way, so I gravitate toward that mostly, but it applies to any genre! No matter what style I’m playing, there’s always an idea running through my head at any given moment that can be unpredictable.
Guitar Thrills: How does recording in the studio differ from performing live when it comes to taking risks on the guitar?
Spencer: Performing live is that in itself: its live, and while I do take risks a lot in a live performance, I may be slightly more reserved than I would be in studio. In studio, if taking a risk doesn’t pan out, I can scrap it and start over. I don’t get that luxury while on a stage!
Guitar Thrills: What advice would you give to guitarists who want to develop their own unpredictable, improvisational style?
Spencer: Learn from your heroes and learn your way around the instrument with some basic theory! Knowing the rules helps not only to know what fits in a piece, but how to bend them. Use your ears! Record yourself playing over passages trying new things, if you hear an idea in your head, sing it, and then try playing what you sang. Sometimes you play something completely accidental and it sounded awesome. So recording yourself helps in this aspect because you can go back and listen and learn what you played. It’s all inside the imagination, just go for it!
Conclusion
Being an unpredictable guitarist is about more than technical skill—it’s about courage, intuition, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. These musicians transform each performance into a living, breathing experience, where every note carries the potential for surprise, tension, and excitement. By blending mastery with spontaneity, they keep audiences on the edge of their seats, remind fellow musicians of the power of creative risk, and push the guitar beyond its conventional limits. Ultimately, unpredictability is not chaos—it is a deliberate, exhilarating dance with possibility, and it is what makes guitar music endlessly thrilling.
