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William AckermanAmerican guitarist and composer
Country:
 Germany |
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Biography of William Ackerman
Early life and EducationWilliam Ackerman is an American guitarist and composer, specializing in acoustic instrumental music. He was born in West Germany and later adopted by a couple from Palo Alto, California. Ackerman learned the secrets of music and poetry on his own, although he had the opportunity to learn to play the guitar with Robbie Basho. He attended Stanford University but did not complete his studies.
Music Career
After leaving college, Ackerman worked as a carpenter while dedicating more and more time to music. He wrote several compositions for a production of "Romeo and Juliet" at Stanford. In 1975, Ackerman managed to raise enough money to create a demo recording with the help of friends and some informal fans. He initially tried to balance his work as a builder with his music, but eventually decided to focus solely on music. He later founded his own record label, Windham Hill Records, and released his first albums in collaboration with his cousin Alex de Grassi.
Success and Recognition
One of Ackerman's recordings received a positive review in Rolling Stone magazine, which significantly boosted sales. For many years, this album became the best-selling release from Windham Hill Records. As the head of a major record label, Ackerman's life became overwhelming and led to the breakdown of his marriage. In 1992, he sold half of his shares in BMG and gradually stopped producing and recording albums. He moved to Vermont, distancing himself from the music business, and in 1996, he sold the rest of his shares.
Recent Years
Ackerman currently resides in Brattleboro, Vermont, and is involved in production at the nearby Imaginary Road studio. He has released four new albums since completely divesting from Windham Hill Records. Two of his albums, "Sound of Wind Driven Rain" (1998) and "Hearing Voices" (2001), were Grammy-nominated, and his album "Returning" (2004) won the prestigious award. Despite his aversion to the recording industry, Ackerman is recognized as a talented producer. He played a significant role in discovering pianist George Winston and guitarist/composer Michael Hedges.
