MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson joined the BADLANDS HOUSE BAND on stage on March 26 at the third-anniversary concert of the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy at Badlands Pawn in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to perform classic songs from MONTROSE, MEGADETH and IRON MAIDEN. BADLANDS HOUSE BAND features in its ranks Ron Keel, who fronted the band KEEL in addition to releasing the "Metal Cowboy" solo album and the "Even Keel: Life On The Streets Of Rock & Roll" autobiography. Ellefson is the author of several books, including "My Life With Deth" and "Making Music Your Business...A Guide For Young Musicians". Over the last three decades, MEGADETH has accumulated a vast array of gold and platinum records, ten Grammy nominations, and a worldwide following. Ellefson is known for his unique, hard-hitting style of bass playing and unwavering dedication to his musical craft. He has engraved a vast musical hallmark as a bassist, songwriter, record producer, clinician and author. Together with MEGADETH, he continues recording and world concert tour activity. Academically, Ellefson holds a bachelor's degree in business marketing and continues to lecture on a variety of music and business related topics. Asked what advice he would give to young, aspiring musicians, Ellefson told the KBAD 94.5 radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota: "I got rolling when I was, like, eleven, twelve years old, picking up the bass guitar, putting bands together, playing in the region, playing around. For me, I had to leave here, I had to get out of here, in order to go find the elusive success, which, fortunately, I found in Hollywood, California. There was a school there called Musicians Institute, which is still there, and that was really the hub. And, of course, I told my parents, 'I might go to school.' But what I really wanted to do was form something like MEGADETH. And I [met] Dave Mustaine [MEGADETH mainman] right after I moved there, and against all odds, he and I have become successful." He continued: "Be committed to what it is you wanna do. My first thing is, man, play with everybody; play with as many different people as possible when you're young. As you get older and your career goes on, you will start to focus and define your style and your sound. And from there, you try to get really united, like I did with Dave. I mean, he and I have hung together pretty much most of the MEGADETH career." Ellefson added: "Jason Newsted, when he was in METALLICA, had a great saying. He said, 'A fist packs a much harder punch than four or five fingers individually. So the impact of people staying together as a team is really, really important in your career."
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