Feature Writer Romeo Edmead – Guitarist Is A Real Toe Jammer
Bike riding, flipping, and head stands, are all impressive stunts without using your hands, but what about playing a string instrument? That concept may be an anomalous one to many, as long as you are not talking about people like George Denehy, who was born with no arms and does exactly that.
Denehy, 18, plays guitar, strumming away with the use of his feet, rapidly becoming one of the latest YouTube sensations. For Mr. Denehy, this is far from a novelty, because he mastered his craft some time ago, after his initial introduction to a string instrument.
A decade earlier, Mr. Denehy started taking cello lessons, eventually becoming quite accomplished in playing classical pieces. Once he took up guitar, his background made the transition a seamless one, so his new hobby launched his recent celebrity status. After seeing a video of Mr. Denehy performing at an event in Virginia, a member of a prominent music group contacted him. The drummer for the Goo Goo Dolls, was flabbergasted by Mr. Denehy’s talent, and invited him to perform at a festival in Pennsylvania. He opened for the band, then joined them on stage later to perform one of their big hits.
The opportunities do not just begin and end with the stage for the up and coming musician. Television appearances, including one with CNN, are scheduled in a couple of countries, and he will also record tracks for a terminal illness website. When discussing his unique talent, Mr.
Denehy explained what he feels it can do for others. “I think it just gives people a little light of hope to follow what they want to do themselves.”
One other thing Mr. Denehy aspires to do is reunite with his blood relatives, who he has not seen in more than a decade and a half. He is originally from Romania, but joined a family that adopted him and eight other children from all over the planet. Everything should come full circle at the end of August, when Denehy boards an airplane destined for the place where it all began. He will return to Romania, intent on visiting his other family, with his adopted mother right alongside him.
Source: http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-08-14/news/33204023_1_goo-goo-dolls-guitar-youtube-sensation