Litejam Meets @oldgreyguitarist at Guitar Show UK

At Litejam, one of the most inspiring things for us is meeting people who remind us why music matters in the first place. Not just as a skill to learn, but as something that connects generations, builds confidence, and keeps creativity alive at any stage of life. That’s exactly what we experienced when we sat down with John Wines, better known as @oldgreyguitarist.

John is not your typical guitar influencer. Based in the UK, he has spent over 20 years teaching guitar to young students, working with hundreds of bands and helping new players take their first steps into music . But in recent years, his journey has taken an unexpected turn. Through his social media presence, where he shares lessons, covers, and performances, he has built a community of over a million followers on TikTok alone, inspiring players of all ages around the world.

What makes John truly unique is the contrast he represents. On one side, a calm and approachable teacher; on the other, a performer capable of delivering high-energy rock solos that completely transform the room. This duality is what made his appearance on America’s Got Talent so memorable. At 59 years old, he stepped onto the stage and surprised both judges and audience with a powerful guitar performance that quickly went viral, earning a standing ovation and advancing him through the competition 

But beyond the numbers and viral moments, what stood out to us when meeting John in person at The Guitar Show UK was his energy. There’s something incredibly refreshing about someone who has been teaching for decades and still approaches music with the enthusiasm of a beginner. As he often says, working with young students is what keeps him inspired and constantly evolving .

During our conversation, we had the opportunity to show him firsthand how Litejam works and how it can be used in a teaching environment. As a guitar educator, John immediately connected with the idea of making learning more visual, more interactive, and ultimately more engaging for beginners. The ability to light up the fretboard, simplify complex concepts, and turn practice into something closer to play aligns perfectly with the way he approaches teaching.

It was especially meaningful to see how quickly he understood the potential of Litejam not just as a tool, but as a way to motivate new players. One of the biggest challenges in learning guitar is staying engaged during the early stages, and that’s exactly where visual feedback and interactivity can make a real difference. For someone like John, who has spent years helping students overcome those first hurdles, the possibilities were immediately clear.

Meeting him in person also reinforced something we deeply believe in: great teachers are at the heart of every musical journey. Technology can enhance the experience, but it’s the passion, energy, and dedication of educators like John that truly make an impact. Seeing that passion up close — and sharing ideas around how Litejam can support it — was one of the highlights of the event for us.

We feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to connect with him, hear his perspective, and exchange ideas. Moments like this are what drive us forward, and they remind us that Litejam is not just about building a product, but about supporting a wider ecosystem of players, teachers, and creators who are shaping the future of music learning.