THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408230137
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
In 1965, Larry Heatwole began learning the guitar because he ``just knew'' it would be the instrument that would attract girls, he said.
Today, after playing for almost 30 years, he's made a career on plucking out tunes.
And although he's not known for a particular kind of playing, he is known for being able to play almost anything, which is one reason the Air Force Band selected him to play for their band.
Heatwole, 39, retired from the Air Force about a year ago.
``I may not be good in any one area, but I can cover a lot of ground. I'm the jack-of-all-trades and master of none,'' he said.
Heatwole said he started playing guitar at age 9, when the Beatles became popular and the guitar became the fashionable instrument to play.
``My instrument had to be the guitar,'' he said. ``I could tell it was going to be the instrument the girls would like,'' he said.
Since then, he played for the ``Fat Ammon's Band'' from 1991 to '93 in Virginia Beach.
``We played up and down the East Coast,'' he said. ``We opened for Michael McDonald, Kool and the Gang and Lou Rawls.''
And now, he is currently teaching private guitar lessons at Isle of Wight Instruments in Smithfield.
``I've had great success with the five Smithfield kids I now have. It must be something in the water,'' he said.
In addition to teaching guitar lessons, Heatwole also performs at various functions. His most recent was a fund-raiser held Tuesday for Oliver North in Isle of Wight County.
Heatwole is also taking classes at Christopher Newport University, hoping to get a degree in teaching history at the middle school level.
Name: Larry Heatwole.
What brought you to Isle of Wight: Isle of Wight Instrument Co.
Hometown: Woodbridge.
Birthdate: Jan. 30, 1955.
Nickname: Hey, You!
Occupation: Part-time musician and guitar teacher.
Marital status: Single.
Children: Scott and Jackie.
Favorite movies: ``Son of Paleface,'' with Bob Hope, and anything with Clint Eastwood. Also, ``Animal House'' and ``Young Frankenstein.''
Favorite magazine: ``Car and Driver.''
A book you wish everyone would read, why? How about the Bible for starters?
Favorite night out on the town: Wherever Sandra takes me.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Outback Steaks.
Favorite food and drink: Watermelons, Moonpies and RC Cola.
Few people know . . . that I know few people.
What's the best thing about yourself? I'm just so doggone humble.
Worst habit: Please be more specific.
First thing in the morning: I check for a pulse.
Pets: Fuji, a Siamese cat, and Molly, a French spaniel.
Hobbies: '60s muscle cars and collecting guitars and amps.
Pet peeve: Liberals and socialists.
First job: Newspaper delivery boy.
What achievements are you most proud of? My children, Scott and Jackie.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``At least I wasn't as bad as my brother.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
KEYWORDS: PROFILE INTERVIEW
by CNB