Three-time published English professor, Jas Obrecht, outside of his music journalism classroom. Abby Eckert | Contributor
By Haley Nagel
Contributor
Jas Obrecht, an English professor at WCC and the author of Stone Free: Jimi Hendrix in London, which was published in October of this year, will be speaking in the Bailey Library on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. Obrecht will share how to use writing to better your life, propel your career and shape how others think. The free event includes an opportunity to win a signed copy of his book.
Obrecht plans to connect with student writers and inspire them to transform themselves through their writing during his presentation. He’ll explain how to write in a way that takes the reader on a journey, as he’s done in his book, which follows the rise of Jimi Hendrix’s life between Sept. 1966 and June 1967.
According to Obrecht, well written words have the potential to open unimaginable doors and provide lifelong benefits.
An interview with Eddie Van Halen kick-started Obrecht’s journalism endeavors. He continued to interview musicians and write cover stories on them for Guitar Player, the magazine he worked for. He later wrote for several other magazines, including Rolling Stone and Guitar Connoisseur.
In the last three years, Obrecht has published three books: Early Blues, Talking Guitar and Stone Free: Jimi Hendrix in London.
“Every day I’m not teaching, I’m writing,” Obrecht said.
Obrecht has been teaching at WCC for 16 years. Throughout those years, he’s taught English, music journalism and creative writing.
“I do it because I enjoy it, and it’s an honorable way to live,” said Obrecht.