“Music calms the savage beast.”

A popular saying and one that holds special significance to Darryl Corneau of Stroud.

A talented guitarist, Corneau is also gradually building a solid reputation as a recording engineer at his home-based studio on Yonge Street, south of Victoria Avenue.

“I’ve had an infatuation with the guitar since I was a kid,” Corneau says. “My dad had one but I was always told, ‘Don’t touch it!’ When I was 10 or 11, I got my own – and never put it down.”

Developing his musical talent didn’t come easily.

“As a child, I was born deaf,” Corneau says. “I had eight operations. My eardrums blew. I failed Grade 1 twice. I had to teach myself.”

There was at least one saving grace for the young man.

“My mom worked at the Village Inn (in Bradford). I watched bands such as Helix, Stompin’ Tom, David Wilcox and Max Webster. In high school, my band opened for the Barenaked Ladies.”

Eventually, Corneau hooked up with a group of guys, including Ron Johnson from Alcona, to form a band called Bent.

“We have quite a following,” Johnson says. “We stole the idea for our name from the ‘I am Canadian’ beer ads.”

The formation of the band coincided with a rough personal period for Corneau.

A girlfriend of long standing left him suddenly.

“She took everything but my guitar and amplifier,” Corneau recalls. “And our shop (Corneau Building Supplies) burned down.”

However, there was a little silver lining attached to these events

“The band moved right in to Darryl’s house,” Johnson says. “We pretty much lived here for eight months. Then, we went on an Ontario tour. We played Top 40 covers and some original material.”

While on tour, Corneau said, “We heard from other bands how hard it was to get rehearsal and recording space. I did some research and found out it was very expensive, especially for younger musicians who may still be in school. After they pay tuition, books and food, they hardly have any money left.”

As a result, “in 2001, I started getting involved in audio recording and engineering. There’s lots to learn. It’s very rewarding when people tell you did a good job, or people say they enjoyed your playing.”

During the past six years, Corneau says he’s invested at least $55,000 in studio equipment and a PA system.

“We can even make mobile stages,” he says. “We just try to cater to people who have hired bands, but don’t know what to do.”

Corneau also teaches guitar at an advanced level. He’s become proficient at an intriguing finger-tapping technique on the fret board.

“It’s an awesome way to play a guitar,” he says.

Operating out of the family house on a busy residential avenue has never posed a problem, he claims.

“My neighbours are awesome,” Corneau says. “I shut down at 10:30 p.m. I tell them, if anything’s too loud – come and tell me. I’ve only had one noise complaint in 15 years. They’re understanding – they know it’s my passion.”

A long-term project is completing a backyard studio that is already fully wired for sound and recording.

Corneau doesn’t advertise his business, relying on word-of-mouth instead.

“We’ve been underground for quite a while,” he says. “One young guy showed up at my door one night with $200 in his hand and said I want you to record three songs. He had a great country voice. In the end, it’s just to help out and give guidance to musicians. I’ll interview people before I bring them into my house. All in all, it works out pretty well.”

During the interview, Corneau brings out his favourite guitar, one that was a birthday present from his deceased grandfather. It’s signed by rocker Eddie Van Halen. He plugs the guitar into an amplifier and plays along flawlessly with Deep Purple’s classic song Highway Star.

“Through music, I’ve been very fortunate to meet a lot of Canadian celebrities and I’ve learned a lot from people over the years,” he says.

He received some one-on-one instruction years ago from Jennifer Batten, one of the world’s leading female guitarists who has performed with artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Jeff Beck.

“For 24 years, music’s been my life. You meet a lot of nice, talented people from all walks of life. In the end, music has always been there for me.”