Greg Schochet is an integral part of Colorado's thriving music community, in demand as a performer, producer and teacher. Equally adept on guitar and mandolin, Greg is fluent in a number of acoustic and electric styles, including bluegrass, swing, country, folk, blues, and more.

Born and raised in New York, Greg's first musical influence was his father's record collection. Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Band were the soundtrack for the Schochet's frequent family road trips. Greg received his first guitar when he was 14, with an interest in both the aforementioned music and the FM radio staples of the '80s.

It was during college in Boulder, while playing lead guitar in a rock band, that Greg's musical view broadened considerably. His Uncle Dave, a long time folk musician, began sending him tapes of traditional and roots music. While Greg was discovering Doc Watson and Ry Cooder, bluegrass was becoming increasingly visible in Colorado. Local bands like Hot Rize and the Left Hand String Band along with frequent trips to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival provided inspiration. Picking up the mandolin at age 22, Greg quickly embraced the communal and participatory aspects of bluegrass, and began teaching and performing on a regular basis.

1996 saw the formation of Runaway Truck Ramp, a group that combined many of Greg's influences. The band played traditional bluegrass and folk songs with rock instrumentation, and gave him the opportunity to explore the mandolin's role in less traditional formats. Greg was also one of the band's primary singers and songwriters. Over the course of five years, Runaway Truck Ramp recorded two CDs and gained a national audience through extensive touring.

In 2001, Greg's appetite for new music found him immersed in honky-tonk and western swing. From this new direction came The All Night Honky Tonk All-Stars, a group of notable Boulder musicians dedicated to playing authentic country from the likes of Buck Owens and Loretta Lynn. Fans of this honest music came out in droves, and the All-Stars continue to keep the twang alive in Boulder.

It was also in 2001 that Greg earned his first production credit. His stature as a player and experience as a session musician made him well suited to guiding songwriters and bands through the recording process. Since then, Greg has produced seven full-length projects in several distinct genres. In addition to overseeing recording and mixing sessions, Greg's contributions often include song selection, arranging and budgeting, as well as much of the guitar and mandolin playing.

Since the fall of 2003, Greg has been the full-time lead guitarist and mandolin player for the Hi-Beams, one of Denver's most acclaimed honky-tonk and western swing bands. From raucous Bob Wills swing to Telecaster driven Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, as well as many unique originals, the Hi-Beams are an ideal showcase for Greg's talents. They make appearances throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West, and are currently at work on their second CD of original music.

Photo courtesy of Michael Blessing