Cameron Day
Cameron Day began his gear obsession at the early age of 14, shortly after receiving, then subsequently dismantling, his first Telecaster. As a copywriter at Sweetwater, he spends his days researching and writing about the world of music—which is convenient, considering he does much of the same off the clock. When he’s not watching gear reviews or hunting down Gear Exchange listings of old acoustic guitars, he likes to play old jazz standards and Beatles tunes on his D18.
Jon Lennon
Jon Lennon began his musical journey in middle school when he joined the school band. Soon after, he discovered bands like AC/DC and System of a Down, and the guitar quickly became his instrument of choice. During college, he immersed himself in the fine arts, studying music theory and guitar technique for two years before switching to theater, where he trained in lighting, sound, and stagecraft. After scriptwriting for a play festival, he caught the writing bug and transferred to the English department, refining his skills and pursuing a career in that field. These days, when he’s not writing, he enjoys playing everything from blues to metal, building and rebuilding guitars to suit his musical needs, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Ryan Looper
Ryan Looper embarked on his musical journey more than 20 years ago when he picked up a saxophone and never wanted to put it back down. He obtained a BM in music business from Northwestern State University, where he also caught the audio engineering bug, which led him to attend the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences and dive further into professional audio. Later, Ryan earned an MA in media industry studies from the University of North Texas before teaching media courses at the university, high school, and middle school levels. Ryan honed his professional skills through a rock-band internship in Rome, Italy; studio work in Austin, Texas; saxophone performances across Louisiana and Texas, short-film and audiobook ADR projects; and work as a professional engineer for marching bands all over Texas. Outside of Sweetwater, Ryan enjoys playing video games, transcribing sax features from genre-blending bands such as Bilmuri, Dreamwake, and Shrezzers, and dabbling in guitar.
Mac McDonough
Jeffrey "Mac" McDonough started studying classical violin at the age of nine, but his destiny changed significantly after he plugged an electric guitar into a distortion pedal for the first time — a Pandora’s box that his parents probably wish he hadn’t opened. Mac was bitten by the recording bug in the late 1980s, while experimenting with a TASCAM Portastudio and a malfunctioning Shure SM58. He interned in several pro studios throughout the 1990s, after which he began tracking and mixing in an ADAT-based project studio. Aside from writing about gear, Mac currently works on freelance recording projects in his home studio, affectionately named “Mac’s Playpen.”
Dustin Mitchell
Dustin Mitchell’s musical roots began pre-birth when his parents attended a Sammy Hagar concert a few weeks before his birth. His musical performance journey started at age 10 with double bass in his schools’ orchestras and guitar. While orchestra only lasted through high school, his love for electric guitar and music persisted. He played in various short-lived original bands and tribute bands dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, and Metallica in the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area in Texas. Dustin also previously worked as a repair technician at Tone Shop Guitars in Addison, Texas, which included operating a Plek machine. Outside of Sweetwater, Dustin enjoys playing instruments in his massive gear collection, writing new music, grilling, working out, and spending time with family.
Sean Rollins
Sean Rollins (née Rollins) started casually playing drums at 11, which turned into an obsession after hearing Neil Peart for the first time. Nearly 30 years later, Sean still spends much of his free time devouring the discography of any prog rock, metal, or jazz artist he can get his sticks on. Sean’s love for all things music and audio is rivaled only by his love for video games, which he not only plays with his son, but also helps create. He’s currently working with the engineering manager from Roblox on developing an audio-only game engine that would enable disabled individuals to play text-based interactive fiction games. Other fun facts about Sean include the following: taught English in China for six years, is a current committee member of the Audio Engineering Society’s Indiana Chapter, spent time playing drums in a legendary Fort Wayne comedy metal band, and has wrangled an emu.
Aidan VandeStadt
Aidan VandeStadt’s self-immersion into the universe of writing and musical experimentation has been an ongoing journey since he could hold a pencil and hum a tune. His enthusiasm led him to the Ohio University English Department and School of Music which earned him his BA in Writing with a Minor in Music, where he also sang and toured with the Singing Men of Ohio men’s choir and worked with Athens Ohio’s WOUB radio station as a Music Director and DJ. Aidan is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in both percussion and guitar, and he has enjoyed playing in several bands over the years while writing, recording, and producing musical projects on his own and for his friends.
Katie Chandler
The child of two thespians, Katie Chandler grew up dancing around the house, belting showtunes, and exploring every art form she could find. Eventually, she discovered a medium that rivaled her love of singing — writing. She picked up a pencil and never looked back, scribbling down every thought. In sixth grade, she got her hands on her first acoustic guitar, combined her two loves, and began dabbling in songwriting. Katie attended Purdue University, where she performed with Purdue Musical Organizations’ SSAA choir, the Purduettes. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she declared a major in civil engineering, though she later switched to professional writing with a concentration in technical writing. Today, she channels her curiosity into every new product, diving deep into research. Outside of Sweetwater, she keeps the theatre kid in her alive through community theatre productions and trips to see her favorite Broadway shows. She also loves playing indie video games, discovering new artists across genres, and going to as many concerts as possible.
David Fenker
David Fenker picked up his first pair of drumsticks around age five but soon set them down in favor of a camera. (He later found a passion for the flute, which he still enjoys). His love of photography led him to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in digital media from Valparaiso University, and to a career in journalism and higher-education marketing. At Sweetwater, David’s living his best life researching and writing about the gear he loves using to photograph concerts, marching bands, wildlife, and more. When he’s not reading up on the latest cameras and accessories, David enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and daughter, wrenching on various project vehicles, playing board games, and building Star Wars LEGOs.
Sam Hill
Sam Hill began his musical journey in elementary school when he was compelled to take piano lessons and sing in the Kiwanis Boys’ Choir. A few years later, he fell in love with drums and accompanied his junior high and high school vocal jazz groups behind the kit. He then became completely engrossed in the world of electric guitars from the first time he plugged a Fender Telecaster into a Vox amplifier and has been tinkering with effects pedals ever since. Sam sang tenor in the Boise State University Vocal Jazz Ensemble and played guitar and drums in various bands in the Boise, Idaho area. When he’s not writing about the nuances of music gear, he enjoys being outside, traveling, trying new restaurants, and getting to know your dog.
