Like a lot of kids, Mike Schwaner picked up the guitar in high school. He never gave up on it, and was gigging by college. For 35 years, he has been playing out. He has been in numerous bands that span genres from funk, to punk, rock, metal, and some country. Acoustic solo performance is the latest chapter in his musical career. As a lead guitarist, he likes the freedom to loop classic riffs and run scales and licks over the top.