Teenage Guitarist JR Reed Will Display His Skills in "Menifee's Got Talent" Show

JR Reed turned 14 on Wednesday, the day he dazzled other contestants with his electric guitar performance of Pachelbel's "Canon" in a rehearsal for this weekend's "Menifee's Got Talent" show.

Imagine what he will be doing when he's 18. Or 21. And beyond.

JR -- short for Mike Reed, Jr. -- has already started to make a name for himself as a solo performer on several instruments. Last weekend, in a local "open mic" night, he alternated between the electric guitar and saxophone -- in the same song.

He has played on stage with members of the heavy metal band Deliverance. Playing with his father, Mike Reed, Sr., an uncle and other musicians, JR has performed at The Vault in Temecula, during Blues Night at the Pit Stop Pub in Menifee, and at several other events. His father is coordinating efforts to assemble the JR Reed Band, which will perform locally.

In both the Friday night and Sunday afternoon sessions, JR will perform solo on his guitar as a featured act in "Menifee's Got Talent," sponsored by Arts Council Menifee at the Kay Ceniceros Center.

"I'm excited," JR said about the chance to perform locally once again. "I've rehearsed enough that I shouldn't be nervous, but I still am sometimes. I've been doing it so long, and guitar is my favorite. I feel like I can play it the best of all the instruments."

According to his father, JR showed interest in music as early as age 3, when he began pounding on Mike Reed Sr.'s drums. He was taking piano lessons by age 7. Later, he further developed his skills by taking guitar lessons from Charles Curinga at the "Sounds of Music" studio in Temecula.

"I've exposed him to all the people I've played with," said Reed, an experienced drummer who has toured with bands for much of his life.

JR's interest increased as he skillfully moved from one instrument to the other -- piano, drums, bass, lead guitar, saxophone, violin. He also is developing quite a singing voice.

"I'd like to make movie music, something with violins, get into 3D (computer) modeling..." JR said.

No doubt, the sky's the limit for this talented young man.

"Instead of playing video games, he saved his money and bought his first guitar," Reed said. "A few months ago, I asked him, 'What does JR have? What do you have within you?' At Christmas time, he came up with a song called 'Family.' He wrote the whole tune himself. We recorded it. It sounded great.

"I've been waiting for this for a while, for him to be ready. Now is the time. School's going to be out ... he's prepared himself."

This weekend, Menifee residents will find out just how ready JR Reed has become.

"Menifee's Got Talent"

Kay Ceniceros Center
Newport Road and Evans Road

Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, 2 p.m.

Tickets: $10