Ravi is a singer/songwriter who shot to worldwide fame at a young age as the guitarist for the ’90’s band Hanson, playing guitar in front of millions of screaming teenage fans in scenes reminiscent of “Beatlemania.” Hanson’s triple Grammy nominated chart-topping songs catapulted the band into the music stratosphere, taking Ravi to stages at the White House, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Today Show, Good Morning America, Madison Square Garden and the Louisiana Superdome as a solo artist. His autobiographical book written on tour as guitarist of that year’s top-selling band in the world was published by Simon & Schuster. His voice has been likened to a young Steve Winwood or Peter Frampton.
Ravi’s frequent “Integrity” based lectures and articles have positioned him as one of the most outspoken advocates for social responsibility in the industry. Electronic Musician, Music Inc., and other magazines publish his articles. Berklee College of Music, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) and other universities and music conferences/conventions host his lectures and keynote addresses.

Ravi is also a pilot and an aviation activist, writer, and lecturer. Bringing a little rock ‘n’ roll to aviation in order to make “one of humanity’s greatest achievements” more accessible to a new generation, he has been a featured speaker at AirVenture/Oshkosh, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Air Transportation Association of Canada, and others, and is published in AOPA’s Flight Training magazine.
Ravi, born in Washington DC and raised near New York City, is a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, India’s political family dynasty who governed the world’s largest democracy for over 40 years and continues to exert strong influence today. Combining his musical talents, public speaking skills, and family heritage, Ravi actively works with non-profit organizations to eradicate poverty by reshaping the model of education for underprivileged youth around the world.
Why did you change out your stock pickups?
“Early on as a teenager, I swapped the out the stock pickups of my Strat for some hotter SD’s and just fell in love with them. Since then I’ve experimented with other brands, but always feel more “at home” within the SD product line. So, even when I get a new guitar with stock pickups that sound decent, I immediately know which SD’s will make it sound even more to my liking.  Now having my own folding signature guitar from Voyage-Air, I know it needs to have SD’s since they have become part of the “signature” of my sound.”
Which pickups do you use and for which guitars?
“In my Brian Moore Custom C-90, I have an Alnico II humbucker in the neck, a single coil version in the middle, and possibly my favorite SD pickup, the JB, in the bridge. I also have Alnico II and JB humbucker pairing in several of my less expensive Greg Bennett Concord guitars. My Seymour Duncan pickups really makes them sing! My new signature Voyage-Air has the Tele humbucker rails, STHR-1, but the ones that mean the most to me are the custom Vintage Strat SDs in my Valley Arts California Pro, and that’s because Seymour and I built those pickups together!”

How would you describe the sound of those pickups?
“Hot, clean, punchy, and pure. I like pickups that react to me, yet are transparent in terms of maintaining my own tone. That is what all of these do. With my pickups I have reliability, quality, purity – three of the most important advantages of a Seymour Duncan pickup. Seymour Duncan’s have become part of the “signature” of my sound, and no guitar of mine is complete without them.”
How has it changed your playing?
“Reactive transparent pickups mean that I can truly be me in terms of how I express myself through my instrument. So, it hasn’t necessarily changed my playing, but has certainly influenced the development of my own sound.”
How would you describe your music?
“I’m a pop/rock singer/songwriter. Nothing outrageous or controversial, just honest and thoughtful writing, both lyrically and harmonically. I also enjoy doing unique versions of famous covers. I have a strong commitment to the sound of my music, not just the composition. So, all the more reason why SDs are an important part of my equation.”

Whose career would you most want to pattern yours after?
“I have new respect for how Bret Michaels reinvents himself and stands up for causes that he believes in (and we just did a project together with my Learn Guitar in 21 Days method, with him having his own special edition of my course!). I also appreciate the evolution and explorations of Clapton and Sting; and the longevity/commitment of AC/DC and the Rolling Stones. I’m not sure that there is one particular artist whose career fits as a blueprint for me, but even though I enjoy constantly exploring new ideas and opportunities, I admire those who have stayed true to course and remained on top for the bulk of their careers. Ok, push comes to shove: Paul McCartney–brilliant artist, stable career, honorable activist, and truly a legend.”
What bands or musician influenced you and your career?
“AC/DC and Angus Young was the earliest influence (I still love them today), but Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mike Stern, Sting and Steely Dan were more influential in terms of how I developed as a player and songwriter.”
What is your craziest gig?
“Hmm, depends on your definition. I wrote a book about a lot of crazy gigs (Dancin’ with Hanson, Simon & Schuster) the standouts for me were Madison Square Garden with Aerosmith mostly because it was my dream gig, and well, Aerosmith hanging in our dressing room pushed it over the top! President Clinton’s White House Christmas party was also crazy, in the surreal sense of the word. There were some where we needed police escorts to get us out because fans were blocking the vans and rocking them back and forth with us in them! And then there was the Rosemont Arena in Chicago, where the power clicked off quickly two or three times during the show causing all keyboard settings to default and chaos on stage.”
Any words of advice for newbies?
“Commitment. Stay true to yourself. Be a good person every step of the way and always go the extra mile. Perhaps most important: don’t chase success, but pursue excellence and let success chase you.”
To visit Ravi, please go here:
http://www.HeyRavi.com
http://www.MyGuitarSherpa.com