Today we’d like to introduce you to Chas Evans.
Chas, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been playing guitar for over 35 years, and music has been one of the defining passions of my life. I earned a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi and spent years teaching guitar at the college level. During that time, I discovered that what I enjoyed most wasn’t performing—it was helping beginners realize they could actually play songs they loved.
One of the defining moments in my life happened before all of that. As a young man, I was overweight but had a strong desire to serve my country. I committed to losing the weight so I could join the Army National Guard. That experience taught me that big goals aren’t accomplished all at once—they’re achieved through discipline, consistency, and showing up every day. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and have shaped the way I teach, build my business, and approach new challenges.
As technology changed the way people learn, I saw an opportunity to reach students far beyond a traditional classroom. I started creating free guitar lessons on YouTube with one simple goal: make learning guitar approachable, practical, and fun. Instead of overwhelming beginners with music theory, I focused on helping people play real songs as quickly as possible while building confidence and solid technique along the way.
What started as a hobby has grown into an incredible online community. Today, across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, I’ve built a combined audience of more than 2.5 million followers. Through those platforms, my Guitar 101 community, and private lessons, I’ve had the privilege of helping people from around the world finally learn the instrument they’ve always wanted to play.
Like most creators, I’ve spent countless hours filming, editing, learning new skills, and figuring out how to connect with an online audience. There have been plenty of challenges along the way, but every one of them has been worth it because it allows me to combine my passion for music with my passion for teaching.
Looking back, I’ve realized my mission has never really changed. Whether I was teaching in a university classroom or creating videos from my home studio in Mississippi, my goal has always been the same: to help people discover that playing guitar is something they really can do. Seeing someone play their first song, perform for family and friends, or simply gain the confidence to keep going is still the most rewarding part of what I do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that being good at something and building a successful business around it are two very different skills.
When I started creating content online, I had years of experience as a guitarist and educator, but I knew almost nothing about YouTube, social media, video production, editing, thumbnails, or how to reach an audience. There were plenty of videos that I poured hours into that barely got any views. It took a lot of trial and error—and a willingness to keep learning—to figure out what resonated with people.
Another challenge has been adapting to an industry that’s constantly changing. Algorithms change, trends come and go, and what worked six months ago may not work today. As a creator, you have to be willing to evolve without losing sight of why you started in the first place.
I’ve also had to learn to treat my passion like a business. As a musician and teacher, I’d much rather spend my day playing guitar than negotiating sponsorships, answering emails, editing videos, or studying analytics. But if I want to continue helping people full-time, those responsibilities are part of the job.
On a personal level, discipline has always been one of the biggest themes in my life. Years ago, I lost a significant amount of weight so I could qualify to join the Army National Guard. More recently, I’ve been on another health journey that’s reminded me once again that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. Whether it’s improving your health, learning guitar, or building a business, success usually comes from small, consistent efforts repeated over a long period of time.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the difficult parts. They forced me to become a better teacher, a better communicator, and a better entrepreneur. Today, I’m grateful that those experiences allow me to encourage my students—not just in learning guitar, but in believing they can achieve goals that may seem out of reach at first.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I’m a guitar teacher. Everything else—YouTube, social media, online courses, and brand partnerships—has grown out of that passion for helping people learn.
I specialize in teaching beginner and early intermediate guitar players. My goal is to remove the intimidation that so many people feel when they first pick up a guitar. I believe learning should be encouraging, practical, and centered around playing real music as soon as possible. Rather than overwhelming students with information, I focus on giving them the confidence to keep moving forward one step at a time.
Today, I create educational content across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where I’ve built a combined audience of more than 2.5 million followers. I also run my Guitar 101 online community, offer private lessons, and work with music brands that align with my mission of helping people become better guitar players.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the follower count—it’s the people behind it. I’ve received messages from students who tell me they played their first song after years of trying, performed in public for the first time, or picked up the guitar again after decades because my lessons gave them the confidence to try. Those stories mean far more to me than any view count or subscriber milestone.
I think what sets me apart is my background as both a professional musician and an educator. Having earned a Master of Music in Guitar Performance and taught at the university level, I’ve spent years learning not only how to play guitar, but how to teach it effectively. Creating online content has simply allowed me to bring that same teaching philosophy to a much larger audience.
I’ve always believed that great teachers don’t make things look complicated—they make complicated things feel achievable. If someone finishes one of my lessons believing, “I can actually do this,” then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is making a positive impact on other people’s lives.
I’ve always believed that learning guitar is about much more than learning chords or songs. It’s about building confidence. I’ve watched students who were convinced they were “too old,” “not musical,” or “just couldn’t do it” eventually play songs they never thought possible. Seeing that transformation is incredibly rewarding because it often carries over into other areas of their lives.
That idea has shaped my own journey as well. Years ago, I lost the weight necessary to join the Army National Guard because I refused to let my circumstances define what I could accomplish. The same mindset has helped me build a career as a creator, continue growing as a teacher, and overcome challenges along the way. I’ve learned that most meaningful goals are achieved through patience, consistency, and a willingness to keep showing up.
I also value lifelong learning. Whether I’m improving my teaching, learning new video production skills, or adapting to changes in social media, I believe there’s always room to grow. That curiosity has allowed me to reach millions of people while staying focused on the same mission I’ve had from the beginning: helping others learn.
At the end of the day, I hope people remember me not because of how many followers I had, but because I made learning guitar feel possible. If someone picks up an instrument, sticks with it because of something I taught, and discovers the joy that music can bring, that’s a legacy I’m proud to leave.
Pricing:
- Guitar 101 Community: Online learning community with structured lessons, daily practice challenges, and support from fellow guitar players — $15/month.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.chasevansguitarist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chevansmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chevansmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv1kLsuAnVzrgNsoUzQLOaA
