Arnie Vilches - Playing Guitar For a Better World!

For me, few things can compete with the joy I get from playing to a crowd full of people - and that joy is present whether I’m playing in a small, intimate venue or a giant concert hall. When I was much younger, I was driven more strongly by a desire for fame but eventually I came to realize that my true passion is to share my gift with others. Once I realized that, it was natural to begin teaching and eventually I found that I enjoyed it as much as I do playing. I particularly enjoy seeing all musicians grow on their instruments. I have also found that I’m a really good teacher.

I have been fortunate enough to play/tour/record with several big name artists. Mark Farner, Singer/Songwriter/Frontman of Grand Funk Railroad, CCM Recording artist Two Or More, Viva Santana, and most recently, Bobby Kimball (the Original Lead Singer of TOTO) as well as Bill Champion Singer/Songwriter, Keyboardist & Guitarist for Chicago. Other notable performances have taken me halfway around the world with Cheap Trick, Robin Trower, Blue Oyster Cult, Bachman/Turner/Overdrive, REO SpeedWagon, Edgar Winter, Carmen, Phil Keaggy & The Newsboys just to name a few. More recently, I have begun to play with a 9 piece horn band called Top Brassss, an All Star Band featuring members of Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, Miami Sound Machine and Chicago, as well as the band Tribal Reasons.