Hey everyone! Hope you're all having a fantastic day. It's clear and sunny inside, even though it was raining earlier—I'm in my cozy little hub here at the powerhouse place we’re streaming from. But enough about the weather! Today, we have someone truly special joining us.
For those tuning in on Bigo Live, you've probably heard of him, and if you haven't, you're in for a treat. This next guest is nothing short of incredible. From the moment I met him, I was blown away by his talent and energy. The man practically conducted the interview himself (which, honestly, I loved—it’s always refreshing when a guest takes the lead). Let me introduce you to Mr. Guitar Rock God himself, Benjamin Smith, aka Guitar God 83 (BIGO ID: Guitargod83 ).
The Rise of a Rockstar: From Metallica Riffs to Bigo Stardom
Benjamin's path into music started young. When he was just 10 years old in his hometown in Illinois, he wasn’t initially immersed in rock music, but that changed in an instant. While playing basketball on a scorching day, he stumbled upon two black guitars in a friend's room—guitars just like the ones he’d seen Metallica play on MTV. The moment he picked them up, his passion was ignited. His friend, already a shredder, taught him Metallica songs, and before long, Benjamin was outplaying him. This passion soon turned into dedication.
"I dove in head first and practiced non-stop. Music, especially guitar, was all I could think about,” said Benjamin. "My mom would often have to tell me to stop and do my homework!"
From those early days, Benjamin’s love for guitar—and the women’s admiration for it—grew. But today, he’s married and has twins on the way, and the story continues to evolve.
Almost Famous and More Than That
Benjamin’s path was never linear. After studying music at a college in California, he had a pivotal conversation with one of his professors, who gave him the best advice: "You can always go back to school, but you need to play music while you're young. Perfect your craft." He took that advice to heart, jumped into his music career, and toured with a band called "Idiom" in 2004, even playing at the legendary Warped Tour.
After years of playing in local bands and gaining a solid following in Southern California, things started to slow down. That’s when he took a break from performing and focused on growing his music career in other ways.
Bigo: The Game-Changer
Benjamin’s return to the stage came in an unexpected form: Bigo. It all started with an attempt to connect with people through live streaming on a dating app during a dark time in his life. When the app’s audience didn’t connect, he moved to Bigo, where his life turned around. He found a massive audience on Bigo—now 188,000 followers strong.
“I had no idea what I was doing at first,” he said. “But once I got started, people started sending me gifts, and it clicked. I thought, ‘Wow, this could be something.’"
His genuine connection with fans and his ability to entertain grew his following quickly. Before long, Bigo noticed his incredible content, even inviting him to represent the brand on billboards. “I was blown away! I couldn’t believe it,” he said. "Now, I'm recognized for what I do, and that’s amazing."
The Vocalist Show: Coaching the Next Big Talent
While Bigo made him a star, Benjamin is not just a passive participant. He’s also a coach on “The Vocalist,” a show where contestants sing their hearts out in a high-stakes competition. Benjamin and his team of judges help contestants grow, perfect their skills, and refine their performances.
He proudly shares, “It’s a blind competition, and the goal is to identify raw talent and develop it. I’m not a singer, but I’m a great coach, and that’s why this show works.”
For those looking to participate, "The Vocalist" allows anyone to sign up through Instagram. It's an exciting time, and Benjamin's passion for nurturing talent shines through as he mentors the next generation of musicians.
Keeping the Rock Alive with the Classics
On top of everything else, Benjamin is a true master of the guitar. When he’s not coaching on Bigo or making his mark as Guitar God 83, he’s playing the riffs that made him famous. From "Crazy Train" to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s "Pride and Joy," he keeps pushing his limits. “I’ve practiced ‘Crazy Train’ so much, it’s just second nature to me now,” he says. But it's not all about metal—he’s been experimenting with other genres too, including country and pop-rock.
A Rockstar’s Advice for New Guitarists
When asked about advice for aspiring musicians, Benjamin’s response is simple but powerful: "You’re going to suck for the first six months. It’s normal. Keep practicing, and don’t give up when it gets hard."
It’s this relentless drive that has brought him so far, both as a guitarist and a streamer on Bigo.
Ready to Rock?
Benjamin's story is a powerful reminder that Bigo LIVE is more than just an app – it's a stage, a community, and a place where talent can truly thrive. From local gigs to reaching a global audience of over 188,000 fans, GuitarGod83 embodies the spirit of Bigo LIVE.
Go check out his streams (ID: GuitarGod83), feel the energy, maybe even request a song! And who knows, maybe your Bigo LIVE success is just about to begin. Download the app, find your stage, and share your passion with the world!
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