Local teen hits the high notes

While most kids his age are clicking and tilting a guitar-shaped controller in the video game “Guitar Hero,” New Iberia’s Brock Thornton is already on track to becoming one in real life.

Thornton, 15, has been playing guitar since he was 8. The New Iberia Senior High School freshman has already won several competitions for his talents, and he’s performed on stage more times than he can count.

“I have people tell me, ‘I’ve been playing all my life and I’m still not that good,’ ” he said. “I always take it as a compliment.”

Thornton got his first guitar, a small acoustic, as a gift from his grandmother.

He soon started taking lessons, learning a few chords and hardening the callouses on his fingertips.

“After I got that, (my instructor) taught me how to play (The Beach Boys’) ‘Wipeout,’ ” Thornton said. “I thought I was so bad!”

Thornton received his first electric guitar when he was 10. He started a band with a friend, Kaleb Kramer, while the two were at North Lewis Street Elementary.

In the eighth grade, Thornton joined with drummer Joshua DeCoux and bass player Matt Adkins, both students at Westgate High School, to enter a Battle of the Bands competition in Lafayette.

The group, known as One Card Shy, won a spot to perform at the Cajundome in the closing ceremonies of the Games of Acadiana, where they walked away with top honors.

Thornton also took home a trophy in the Interact Idol competition held in Gonzales. Thornton performed an original song on an acoustic guitar for the competition.

These days, Thornton sits in with various musicians in the Teche Area and beyond, including New Iberia-based Blue Merlot. He’s played several times in Lafayette and New Orleans, and even as far away as Florida.

“It’s pretty good money for a kid,” he said, “and I love doing it.”

Thornton also earns extra money teaching guitar lessons. He said he plans on devoting more time to playing gigs and teaching lessons after school lets out this summer.

Thornton describes his music as a blend of rock, blues and funk. He said most of the songs he performs are covers of other bands, but he’s beginning to write original music as well.

Thornton said he plans to study music in college. He said he hopes to “make it big” as a professional musician someday.

“I would like to have a steady band,” he said, “but I’m good where I’m at.”