It's truly sad that in today's music world of Brittany Spears and 'N Sync the best musicians are oftentimes the ones whose names you've never heard. Paul Finley grew up playing guitar in the land of cheese and beer, Waukesha, Wisconsin. At the wee age of 16 he began teaching guitar and soon made his way to the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, where he received a diploma in Guitar Performance in 1990 and became a faculty member for the next five years, teaching rock guitar in classes and individual instruction.

Of course, one can't teach rock guitar without playing in bands, and Paul constantly played in gigs and shows; primarily with Mas Optica, which was on the indie circut in the Midwest. Together they produced 1 full length release, "Choose To See More", which was released in the U.S. and Europe in'93/'94, and several compilations. After Wisconsin, Paul sojourned for two years in the arid lands of Arizona, still teaching, and continuing to hone his skills, which now also include playing the mandolin.

In 1997, he moved to Austin, where he now lives. Paul does extensive sideman work in addition to his solo performances and teaching. He teaches at the Austin Guitar School, plays regularly as a theater musician for The National Comedy Theater improv troupe, performs with artists: Doug Weisbruch, Eric Hauck/Beggarman, Peter Nevland and the Neverland Band, and continues to do performances for children and other social groups. He can list numerous soundtracks to his credit and has played all over the U.S. through the years to boot.

With the release of his first solo album, A.D., Paul has the chance to bring together all of his songwriting, arranging, and performance skills. What am I tryin' to say here? The boy can just flat out play, and has taste, artistry, and nothing of the need to be praised for all that. It's really a relief in the midst of so much over-marketed mediocrity to hear the sounds of a humble musician whose name you may never have heard.

Visit www.paulfinleymusic.com.