Biography Hello, all you cyber folks! My name is Rod Jaeger, or "Chip" to those of you who already know me. I was born on Sept 5, 1968 in Staten Island, New York and now live in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. My love of music started as early as I can remember, but my passion for playing didn't develop until I was exposed to the power of the drum corps at Fork Union Military School (about age 12). From that day on, I knew that I was going to make music my career. During my six years in military school, drumming just consumed me. It really taught me what discipline and dedication were all about; even more so than the military environment I was growing up in. I never received any formal drum instruction, but was fortunate enough to have many friends who had. I picked their brains, studied their techniques, and by my senior year, I had achieved my goal of becoming head drummer of the corps. Drums were not the only instrument I was exposed to during this time. Being that my older brother was a guitar player, I had a great fascination with the complexity of the guitar. My admiration of some of the great rock drummers like Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Terry Bozzio transferred into the great guitar players, too. I remember the day my friend played me a tape of this new 17-year-old guitar wizard named Yngwie Malmsteen. I was dumbfounded! That was the day I decided to become a student of the guitar, but that was a secret! (Explain later!) After high school, I started playing drums in bands in the Lynchburg, Virginia area. These were progressive rock bands covering Rush, Yess, Police and many other bands. That was a blast! I was gaining experience and playing with some really talented people. The only thing that was wrong was that I wasn't making any money! So, after years of saying, "I'll never sell out!" (Never, say, never!) I sold out to a style of music that I said I'd never play!...... COUNTRY!! (Now comes the secret of the guitar. Oooo.., aren't you intrigued?) A friend of mine, who had been living in Nashville, moved back home to Lexington, Virginia and asked me if I would be interested in playing in a country band. I really had to think about that. I was never a big fan of country music, in fact, my friends and I used to joke about playing it. I thought to myself that a real musician would try to expand his capabilities rather than find an excuse not to. So, I decided that I would do it, but I thought that playing drums in a country situation would be very boring compared to the progressive music I had been used to playing. Whether that was right or wrong, I don't know, but I decided to pull out my secret weapon!.....The Guitar! I had really been forced to learn to play guitar in secrecy. Most of my former band mates (guitar players) criticized me for playing guitar. Why they were motivated to say that was a mystery to me. Maybe they were jealous because I was starting to get pretty good in a short period of time. Whatever the reason, I just kept my guitar practicing to myself. I knew that one day, having the option to play another instrument would pay off. And for all intents and purposes, it has. So, from then to present (about 10 yrs) I've been playing guitar, for the most part, with the same band. I've learned to really appreciate the simplicity, complexity, and fun of playing country music. Plus, the continuing popularity of country, keeps money in my pocket! Ha! This experience has really shown me all the aspects of the music "Biz", too. I've gotten to work in the Nashville recording studios on my own projects and with my bands, New South and Ironhorse. I've lived the "glamorous" tour bus life. NOT! But, most of all, I've gotten to meet and play music with a lot of great "pickers" from all over the country. So, what's next? Well, now I'm currently finishing my own CD. It's one of those "He did it all himself" CD's. I played drums, guitar, bass, mandolin, and keys. I did some vocals and have a few guest musicians here and there. I don't like to nail down what style the music is, but it is mostly instrumental. I just like to draw on all of my influences. You might hear a little Satriani or Eric Johnson or maybe Jerry Reed. Anyway, listen to the clips when they're posted and let me know what you think. See Y'all! Chip P.S. Drop me a line at my studio.