Jake’s a YouTube sensation!

A self-taught, one-handed electric guitarist whose on-line music videos are attracting quite a following of fans is looking for musicians to join him in forming a rock band.

Jake Wallace only picked up a guitar for the first time two years ago and, being unable to read music, is totally self taught.

The 18-year-old was, due to a congenital condition, born without a left hand but this has also failed to prove a barrier to Jake’s dream of becoming a rock & roll musician.

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He said: “I always thought it wouldn’t allow me to do things such as play guitar but after being influenced by Blues music from the early 20th century, I developed a keen interest in electric guitar and decided I would give it a go.”

The former Ballymena Academy pupil, who is now in his first year of university studies at Magee Campus, plays a right-handed Fender Stratocaster by holding it upside down and using one of his underdeveloped finger stubs to pick the strings.

“I have my own YouTube channel which I frequently upload guitar covers to and my latest cover of Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin was shared to 90,000 people worldwide via the Facebook page, Metal Recommendations. That same video got over 1,500 views within the first 24 hours of it being on-line,” said Jake.

He added: “I want to be able to promote my YouTube channel so people can see that anyone can play guitar and encourage them to take up the instrument.”

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Despite his on-line solo success, Jake is keen to form a classic rock/heavy rock band.

He’s currently looking for a bass player, a drummer and a singer who share his appreciation for such greats of the genre as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Jimi Hendrix.

Interested? Just email him at [email protected] or to see Jake perform just search for ‘Jake Wallace guitarist’ on YouTube.