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Peter Stroud
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Key Information
Peter Stroud is a US guitarist best known for his work with Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, Pete Droge, and Sarah McLachlan. He is cofounder of 65amps, a company manufacturing guitar amplifiers.
Biography
[edit]Peter Stroud was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was raised and received early education in Greensboro, NC. During his high school years, he attended The Principia Upper School in St. Louis and Greensboro Day School in his hometown, graduating class 1977.
In the mid-late 90s, Stroud played with Pete Droge. It was during this period that he met Sheryl Crow, and in late 1998 she asked him to join her band in support of her third release, Globe Sessions. This musical relationship has lasted for over eleven years, where he eventually served as Sheryl’s music director. Soon after the conclusion of the Globe Sessions tour, Peter joined Don Henley in 2000 for his Inside Job tour. Their debut concert was filmed, originally for A&E’s Live By Request, and later released on DVD.
Stroud remained active touring with Sheryl up until late June 2010, when he started touring with Sarah McLachlan's band. His last performances with Crow before moving to McLachlan were on the Lilith Fair 2010 tour, which was also his debut with McLachlan; he played with both artists for the first five dates of the tour.
In 2012 Stroud once again joined up with Sheryl Crow and besides being her lead guitar player, he also became her bandleader. He is currently on tour with her at numerous venues in the U.S.
Discography
[edit]CDs:
- Pete Droge & The Sinners – Beautiful Girls (Movie Soundtrack and Title Song) (1996)
- Pete Droge & The Sinners – Find A Door (1996)
- Pete Droge – Spacey & Shakin’ (1998)
- Stevie Nicks – Trouble in Shangri-La (2001)
- Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute – Sheryl Crow/ Long Gone Lonesome Blues (2001)
- Sheryl Crow – C’mon C’mon (2002)
- The Dixie Chicks – Home (2002)
- Shawn Mullins – 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor (2006)
- Shawn Mullins – Honeydew (2008)
- Michelle Malone – Debris (2009)
DVDs
- Sheryl Crow - Rockin’ The Globe (1999)
- Don Henley - Inside Job (2000)
- Sheryl Crow - C’mon America (2003)
- Sheryl Crow - Soundstage Presents: Sheryl Crow Live (recorded 2003, released 2008)
- Sheryl Crow - Wildflower Tour: Live From New York (2006)
- Crossroads: Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007 (performing with Sheryl Crow)
- Shawn Mullins – Live at the Variety Playhouse (2008)
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peter Stroud.
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Peter Stroud
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Early life
Childhood and influences
Peter Stroud was born in Greensboro, North Carolina.[1] Growing up in Greensboro, Stroud was immersed in a family environment that fostered an early appreciation for music, particularly the Southern rock and blues scenes that defined the region's cultural landscape during the 1960s and 1970s.[1] Stroud discovered the guitar as a child when his parents gifted him his first instrument, igniting a passion that led him to pursue self-taught techniques through dedicated practice and experimentation.[1] Among the key influences shaping his early interest in guitar were pioneering rock figures such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, as well as 1970s British rock bands like Led Zeppelin, whose innovative sounds and virtuosic playing inspired Stroud's developing style.[9]Education and initial training
Peter Stroud was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he received his early education in local schools. He attended Greensboro Day School, graduating in its second class, which provided him with opportunities to engage in music activities alongside his peers.[10] Stroud began his initial music training informally, teaching himself guitar around age 9 or 10 by listening to records of bands like Led Zeppelin and Cream. At age 11, he purchased his first electric guitar, enabling him and his friends at Greensboro Day School to perform at local house parties. By age 13, he had developed confidence in rhythm guitar playing, mastering tunes from popular rock songs such as "Secret Agent Man" and "White Room." No formal lessons are documented in his early development, emphasizing a self-directed approach to foundational techniques like riff learning and basic chord progressions.[1][11] During his high school years at Greensboro Day School, Stroud experimented with early bands starting around age 15 or 16, performing covers at school parties and borrowing amplifiers such as Orange heads and Marshalls to explore basic amplification setups. These experiences helped him build practical skills in ensemble playing and stage presence. After high school, he enrolled in a music program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, opting for local education over applying to Berklee College of Music due to a lack of interest in jazz-focused instruction. This formal training bridged his informal high school experimentation toward more structured musical knowledge, though he left after a short period to pursue performing opportunities.[1][12]Career
Early professional work
After graduating high school in the early 1980s, Stroud entered the professional music scene by joining a top 40 lounge band, marking his initial foray into paid gigs while navigating the practical demands of the industry.[1] This role provided steady work and exposure to a wide repertoire, though it was far from the rock aspirations he held from his formative years. Relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, around the mid-1980s, Stroud immersed himself in the vibrant local music scene, taking jobs such as working at Midtown Music to support his growing interest in vintage gear, including acquiring a 50-watt Marshall plexi amplifier.[1] In the late 1980s, Stroud's career gained momentum when he joined the Athens-based alternative rock band Dreams So Real as their fourth member, augmenting the original three-piece lineup during a period of rising popularity.[1] The band, formed in 1983 and known for its jangly, post-punk sound influenced by the regional indie ethos, allowed Stroud to contribute guitar parts on recordings and embark on tours, including opening slots for artists like Melissa Etheridge.[1] This stint honed his skills in a collaborative band environment and connected him to key figures in the Southeast music community, setting the stage for broader opportunities beyond local venues. Transitioning to session work in the early 1990s, Stroud began freelancing for Atlanta-area artists and recordings, leveraging connections from the regional scene to build a portfolio of credits.[1] A pivotal introduction by Atlanta-native producer Brendan O'Brien led to his collaboration with Seattle singer-songwriter Pete Droge, where Stroud served as lead guitarist on Droge's debut album Necessity (1996), produced by O'Brien, and joined for subsequent tours.[13] This role marked his entry into national-level projects, involving studio sessions at renowned facilities and minor arena tours that expanded his network toward major-label work, while he continued occasional local gigs in Atlanta to maintain stability.[1]Collaboration with Sheryl Crow
Peter Stroud joined Sheryl Crow's band as lead guitarist in 1999, after initially meeting her while opening for her tour in 1996. His involvement began during the promotional cycle for her album The Globe Sessions, where he contributed guitar work to live performances and the 2000 concert video Rockin' the Globe. Over the ensuing years, Stroud's role expanded to include musical direction, encompassing responsibilities such as arranging sets, conducting the ensemble, and coordinating band dynamics to support Crow's vocal delivery and stage presence. This evolution solidified during extensive global tours, where he helped maintain the band's cohesion across venues ranging from intimate clubs to large arenas accommodating up to 250,000 attendees. Stroud's tenure with Crow included a hiatus from 2010 to 2012, during which he toured with Sarah McLachlan after an 11-year stint, before rejoining in 2012 as both lead guitarist and music director—a position he has held continuously since. In this capacity, he has influenced the live interpretation of subsequent albums, notably providing guitar on the Wildflower Tour in 2005–2006, captured in recordings like Wildflower Tour: Live from New York. His contributions extended to songwriting, including co-authoring "Hole in My Pocket" on Crow's 2002 album C'mon C'mon, which highlighted his ability to blend rock elements with her pop sensibilities. Stroud's live collaborations with Crow have featured prominently in major events, such as their joint performance of "There Goes the Neighborhood" at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1999, earning acclaim for its energetic execution. The pair has also appeared together on high-profile television platforms, including Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Conan, often showcasing Stroud's complementary guitar lines that enhance Crow's arrangements without overpowering her voice. These performances, alongside headline tours like the C'mon C'mon and Wildflower outings, underscore the duo's enduring artistic synergy over more than two decades.Other notable collaborations
In addition to his longstanding role with Sheryl Crow, Peter Stroud has contributed guitar work to several high-profile recording sessions and tours. He performed as a guitarist and backing vocalist during Don Henley's 2000 tour supporting the album Inside Job, appearing on the live DVD release Don Henley: Live Inside Job recorded that year.[14] Stroud provided guitar and mandolin on Stevie Nicks' 2001 album Trouble in Shangri-La, co-produced by Nicks and Sheryl Crow, with notable contributions on tracks such as "Sorcerer" and "Planets of the Universe."[15] He also played electric guitar on the Dixie Chicks' 2002 album Home.[16] From 2010 onward, Stroud joined Sarah McLachlan's touring band as lead guitarist, supporting her albums including Laws of Illusion and Wonderland, and performing on multiple North American and international tours through the 2010s.[17] His involvement brought a rock-infused edge to McLachlan's sets, drawing on his experience from Crow's performances.[4] In recent years, Stroud co-founded the rock band Close Enemies in 2024 alongside Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, guitarist Trace Foster, vocalist Chasen Hampton, and drummer Tony Brock, releasing their debut single "Sound of a Train" in January 2025, followed by additional singles including "More Than I Could Ever Need" (October 2025), and embarking on a U.S. tour as of November 2025.[18][7][19][20] The project showcases Stroud's songwriting and guitar leads in a collaborative, hard-rock context distinct from his session work.Founding of 65amps
In 2002, guitarist Peter Stroud co-founded 65amps with amp designer Dan Boul, driven by the challenges encountered during Stroud's extensive tours with Sheryl Crow, where he sought reliable amplifiers that captured the warm, responsive tones of vintage 1960s models without excessive volume or fragility on the road.[21][5] The company was formally incorporated in 2004 and established its operations in North Hollywood, California, allowing Boul and Stroud to focus on hand-wired tube amplifiers that blended classic British and American influences with modern durability.[22][5] The inception of 65amps addressed a specific gap in professional gear: the need for stage-ready amps that delivered full, rich sound at manageable levels, inspired by iconic designs like the Marshall Plexi and Fender Blackface while incorporating improvements for touring reliability, such as robust construction and versatile voicing options.[21][23] Stroud's firsthand experience as a touring musician informed the prototypes, which were initially built in small quantities to test on the road before scaling production.[1] Central to 65amps' lineup is the Classic series, particularly the Blue Line models like the London and Royal Albert, which emulate vintage overdrive and clean headroom while offering switchable wattage for varied performance settings.[24] These amplifiers quickly gained adoption among high-profile artists; for instance, the Royal Albert became a staple for country star Keith Urban's live rigs due to its articulate midrange and headroom suitable for large venues.[25] Other musicians, including those in rock and blues circuits, praised the series for its tonal authenticity and roadworthiness, contributing to the brand's reputation in boutique amplification.[26] Stroud has maintained an active role in 65amps' development and promotion, collaborating closely with Boul on voicing decisions that align with his signature playing style—emphasizing dynamic response and harmonic richness—and frequently demonstrating the products at industry events like NAMM to showcase their integration into professional workflows.[1][5] This ongoing involvement has not only sustained the company's innovation but also reinforced its ties to Stroud's career as a performer and tone aficionado.[23]Musical style and equipment
Guitar techniques and tone
Peter Stroud's guitar playing is characterized by a blues-rock phrasing that emphasizes melodic hooks and expressive solos, often drawing on pentatonic scales and dynamic interplay between rhythm and lead roles. His approach prioritizes clarity and natural compression in phrasing, allowing for fluid transitions that support the song's structure while adding emotional depth. This style is evident in his contributions to Sheryl Crow's music, where he crafts riffs and solos that complement vocals without overpowering them, as seen in the collaborative solo development for the track "C'mon C'mon" from her 2002 album C'mon C'mon [1]. Stroud's phrasing reflects a "less is more" philosophy, focusing on rhythmic fits around the singer to enhance the overall arrangement [27]. A key element of Stroud's technique is his adept use of slide guitar, which he employs to evoke a pedal steel-like resonance, particularly on Telecaster models using the neck pickup for focused midrange tones. He integrates slide work seamlessly into rock contexts, as demonstrated in live and recorded performances of Sheryl Crow's "Strong Enough" and "All I Wanna Do," where it adds a distinctive, emotive texture [28] [29]. Complementing this, Stroud's bending and vibrato techniques exhibit influences from 1960s and 1970s rock guitarists like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, resulting in tasteful, controlled bends that contribute to his signature expressive vibrato and note sustain [1] [30] [31]. Stroud achieves his dynamic clean-to-overdriven tones through attentive control of volume and gain staging, favoring setups that maintain clean headroom while allowing quick access to distortion for solos. In studio settings, he focuses on building musical beds with hooks, as in "Safe and Sound" from Sheryl Crow's 2002 album C'mon C'mon, where layered phrasing evolves over multiple sessions [1]. For live performances, he adapts by using in-ear monitoring and lower stage volumes via his 65amps designs, enabling precise dynamic shifts without feedback issues, while relying on guitar volume knobs to transition tones on the fly [1] [27]. This adaptability ensures his blues-inflected rock tone remains consistent across environments, rooted in real amp interactions for authentic touch sensitivity [27] [30].Signature gear and endorsements
Peter Stroud favors a mix of vintage-inspired and custom guitars that support his versatile playing style across rock, blues, and country genres. His preferred models include Gibson Les Paul variants, such as the '59 double-cut Les Paul Junior for slide work and the 2014 USA-made Les Paul Melody Maker for its compact design and tonal clarity. He also relies on Fender Telecasters, including a '52 reissue, for their bright, twangy snap in live settings, and PRS Mira guitars for recording sessions due to their balanced output and playability. A standout in his collection is the Duesenberg Dragster DD2, customized with a Multibender bridge and short-throw tone pot, which he tunes to open E for rhythmic and lead parts. Stroud has a signature endorsement with Elliott Guitars, featuring the Peter Stroud Signature Tonemaster in finishes like Vanilla Shake; this alder-bodied model with a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and Elliott hardtail bridge delivers exceptional versatility from clean rhythms to high-gain leads, praised by Stroud as his "ultimate all-in-one" guitar. Additionally, he endorses Eastman Guitars, prominently using the T58 Legacy model on tour with Sheryl Crow; equipped with TV Jones Classic pickups, a Bigsby B6 tailpiece, and antique varnish finish, it provides a vintage hollowbody tone that Stroud describes as feeling "as vintage as any old guitar I've ever used." As of 2025, Stroud has a signature slide model with Rocky Mountain Slides Company, designed from select Firecracker Aluminum to aid his slide techniques.[32][4][33][2][34] For amplification, Stroud's rig has evolved from early reliance on Fender blackface models like the Deluxe Reverb for clean tones to boutique options that enhance his dynamic range. He primarily uses his own 65amps designs, such as the London for primary gig tones, the Monterey for cleaner slide applications, and the Empire for live versatility, reflecting a shift toward custom-voiced heads that capture vintage Marshall and Fender essences without the maintenance issues of unrestored originals. In studio work, he incorporates the Park 75 ('72 model) for warm overdrive on tracks like "Delilah," and has occasionally employed Marshall 1987X and 1959SLP heads for their classic rock crunch. He also maintains vintage pieces like the Ampeg Gemini I G-12 and Laney Supergroup (100W early model), though these see less frequent use in modern setups due to reliability concerns. Stroud's endorsement with 65amps underscores his preference for these amps in both touring and recording, prioritizing headroom and responsiveness.[32][4] Stroud's effects chain emphasizes overdrive, delay, and modulation to shape his signature tone, often built around a Pedaltrain Pro board powered by GigRig systems for seamless switching. Key pedals include the Electro-Harmonix #1 Echo Delay as a mainstay for warm echoes, the modded Boss BD-2 Blues Driver for transparent overdrive, and the Janglebox Compression/Sustain for crisp rhythm enhancement. He favors Electro-Harmonix units broadly, such as the Soul Food Overdrive for boosting and the Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai for lush modulation, alongside the Catalinbread Echorec for tape-like repeats. Other staples are the Greer Amps Lightspeed Organic Overdrive for smooth clipping and the Barber Direct Drive for high-gain leads. In his 2015 pedalboard configuration, he incorporated Eventide ModFactor and TimeFactor for advanced effects, the TC Electronic Hall of Fame reverb, and the Seymour Duncan Vise Grip compressor, demonstrating an evolution toward digital precision in modulation and delay while retaining analog warmth in gain stages. Accessories like Dunlop Ultex Sharp 1.0mm picks and Ernie Ball Coated Slinky strings complete his setup, with the latter via an official artist endorsement for consistent feel and tone. This gear supports his techniques by providing reliable clean platforms that bloom into saturated leads without muddiness.[32][35][36][37]Discography
Albums with Sheryl Crow
Peter Stroud joined Sheryl Crow's band as lead guitarist in 1999 during the promotion of her album The Globe Sessions, marking the beginning of a long-term collaboration that extended through studio recordings, live performances, and tours supporting her releases up to Threads in 2019.[4] As music director and primary guitarist, Stroud contributed guitar parts, backing vocals, and engineering to several projects, while his slide guitar and Brit-rock influenced tones became staples in Crow's live sound. His involvement emphasized complementary playing that supported Crow's vocals and arrangements, often incorporating 12-string acoustics and electric leads on key tracks.[27] Stroud's first credited appearances were on live albums capturing Crow's tours. On Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live from Central Park (1999), he played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and slide guitar across the set, including performances of hits like "If It Makes You Happy" and "Strong Enough" alongside guests such as Eric Clapton and the Dixie Chicks.[38] The following year, Sheryl Crow: Rockin' the Globe Live (2000) featured Stroud as lead guitarist, documenting the global tour with energetic renditions that highlighted his rhythmic and solo work. These live efforts tied directly to the touring support for The Globe Sessions, where Stroud's addition brought a fuller guitar texture to Crow's rock-oriented setlists. Stroud's studio contributions peaked on C'mon, C'mon (2002), where he played acoustic guitar on tracks 4 ("Diamond Road"), 5 ("It's Only Love"), 6 ("Safe and Sound"), and 12 ("Hole in My Pocket"); electric guitar and 12-string acoustic throughout; keyboards on select cuts; and served as additional engineer.[39] He co-wrote four songs—"Diamond Road," "It's Only Love," "Safe and Sound," and "Hole in My Pocket"—infusing them with introspective lyrics and melodic hooks that aligned with Crow's pop-rock evolution.[40] Notably, his lead guitar on "Everyday" provided the driving riff that underscored the track's optimistic vibe, earning production nods from Crow herself. The accompanying live release C'mon America 2003 credited Stroud with guitar and backing vocals, capturing tour performances of album material like "Soak Up the Sun."[41] For subsequent albums, Stroud's role shifted toward touring and music direction, with credits on live recordings tied to studio releases. On the Wildflower tour, he performed guitar on Sheryl Crow: Wildflower Tour - Live from New York (2005), supporting tracks from the 2005 album with layered electric and acoustic parts.[42] Similar contributions appeared in live contexts for Detours (2008), where Stroud's guitar work complemented the album's introspective folk-rock during shows, as heard in performances like "There Goes the Neighborhood." He continued as music director for tours promoting 100 Miles from Memphis (2010), Feels Like Home (2013), Be Myself (2017), and Threads (2019), providing guitar on live sets including NPR's Tiny Desk Concert for Threads, featuring songs like "Beware of Darkness" with his signature tone.[43] Later live compilations, such as Live from the Ryman and More (2021), retroactively included Stroud's guitar on archival tour footage from the Threads era, underscoring his enduring impact on Crow's discography.| Album | Year | Key Roles and Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live from Central Park | 1999 | Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar; supported tour promotion for The Globe Sessions [38] |
| Sheryl Crow: Rockin' the Globe Live | 2000 | Lead guitar; captured global tour energy [44] |
| C'mon, C'mon | 2002 | Acoustic/electric guitar (e.g., lead on "Everyday"), 12-string acoustic, keyboards, additional engineer, co-writer ("Diamond Road," "It's Only Love," "Safe and Sound," "Hole in My Pocket") [39] [40] |
| C'mon America 2003 | 2003 | Guitar, backing vocals; live tour documentation [41] |
| Sheryl Crow: Wildflower Tour - Live from New York | 2005 | Guitar; supported Wildflower album tour [42] |
| Live from the Ryman and More | 2021 | Guitar; archival performances from Threads-era tours [45] |