The Collegian

Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson Wide receiver and sophomore Michael Blanchard connects with his more artistic side off the football feild. He is self-taught at guitar and finds it an escape into relaxation after grueling practices.

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson

Gasping for air, sophomore Michael Blanchard balances the loaded steel bar across his back, sinking into a squatting position before exploding up with a grunt, and shower of sweat.

Blanchard fires through his final reps with what teammate, junior Eric Schweller calls, "a calm intensity."

Finished, he re-racks the bar with a final slam and sinks out from under the barbell.

As a starting wide receiver for the Charger football team, Blanchard can take a hit and, when needed, deliver one as well. Not only does he strike opponents, he strikes a mad chord on the guitar.

"Yeah, I've thought about the irony," Blanchard said, "I play football, so I'm supposed to be this 'tough guy,' I guess it shows a softer side."

Blanchard has been playing guitar for two years, self-taught.

He started out learning from books and tablature, he said, but now prefers jamming out to his favorite songs or with his buddy, sophomore Adam Connell, accompanying on keyboard.

As with all beginning guitar players, Blanchard said his fingers were pretty sore at the beginning. Not so typical is when, he said, "Sometimes they started bleeding a little bit - no big deal - kept playing."

Blanchard said music is all about escape, a way to relax.

"Some people use music to get pumped up - like for lifting weights and stuff. I listen to music for the exact opposite reason," he said.

His favorite music to play is in the vein of John Mayer and Jack Johnson

Blanchard caused mouths to drop last year during his debut Hillsdale performance at the Kappa Kappa Gamma talent show fundraiser.

As often happens to be the case, Blanchard came in as a freshman known for one thing: his rocket legs.

"I guess some people were a little surprised," Blanchard said.

"There was this one girl - I can't remember her name - at Centralhallapalooza, who was going crazy, like jumping up and down saying how much she liked it," Blanchard said laughing throughout his entire story.

Blanchard and Connell plan on performing at the next Coffeehouse event this semester.

Blanchard, who was involved in choir since grade school all the way until his senior year, when he joined the state honors choir, has no qualms about busting out with a vocal square for anyone. Connell said he is a little reticent.

"I have never really played for people here before, so I might be a little nervous, but I have played in front of people, though," he said, brightening at the idea. "It was at one of those big department stores in the mall - that have the guy with the suit, playing the piano - I was that guy. It paid really well. They gave me food…it was the best job ever."

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