I can't believe how much of positive response this video is getting! Thank you guys so so much! I'll make sure to keep awesome music coming, with more daily videos and a new album on the way. I was replying to every comment but the current number has reached an overwhelming high so it will be a week or so before I can get back to each and every one of you. I appreciate every comment, suggestion and future video ideas! I did not expect this video to reach this many views in just few weeks! Wow! Among all positive responses I've noticed small percentage of misconceptions about this video so let me address that. I am a musician from Europe living in United Sates. I do music full time, that includes solo and band performances. As any full time musician knows there is no bad gig, whether it's a dive bar or a festival stage you get up on there and do your best! However smaller gigs with few or no people in the audience sometimes can feel discouraging. That is one of the reasons why I started this KZfaq channel, to capture video and audio of my performances, big or small, exciting or boring. Seen by thousand people or just one, these performances can live on the internet for other people to enjoy around the world. It is a gratifying feeling to share ones music with the world even if at the time of music creation there was no one there to care to listen to it. If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it does it still make a noise? Well, it does if you put it on video. Not every musician is fortunate to start their career with sold out shows and packed concert halls. Most full time working musicians play all the venues they can get. It is extremely encouraging to move forward and keep developing as an artist after seeing response to this video. But I am still making progress, and not every show I do is a sold out concert with packed audience. This video is from a gig I did on August 16th of 2017. It was a Tuesday night at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton Florida. It is a nice venue with indoors and outdoors seating. I set up on stage and played form 6 to 10 pm that night. August is off season in that part of Florida so attendance for live entertainment is low everywhere. The first hour was empty, I played for my self, took some video, made up music. I have some of those videos posted on my channel. Second hour was when a party of three people showed up and that was my first audience of that slow Tuesday night. I've greeted them and began interacting in between songs. And after building up a rapport one lady felt comfortable enough to through out a request. The rest you can see in the video. Any full time musician will tell, people request songs they want to hear. Most of the time it's "Margaritaville" or "Freebird". But sometimes because of the way play people request for Jimi Hendrix, SRV, Jeff Beck, Santana, Steve Vai... Yes, music fans know these artists, and yes, they know their songs too. I get requests all the time for "Ode Como Va", "Cause we ended as lovers" or other classic hits. Sometimes it ends up in the video, some times it doesn't. But this particular request stood out and had a hilarious interaction that needed to be shared. I'm at a real venue (google Motorworks Brewing) doing a real gig, with my real solo gear (see my other videos). The voice in the audience is not my mom, my mom doesn't speak English, not my girlfriend or friend. These are real interactions that real musicians encounter around the world on regular basis, except this time the camera was rolling and I uploaded it for you to see. Thanks for watching!

"Do u know calculous?" "no" *looks at formula for 3 seconds* *Discovers origin of the universe *

If the algorithm recommended this to you you're doing something right.

One of Dovydas best performances. Every time I go down the Dovydas rabbit hole, I always have to come back to this video.

“I’m looking up the chords. I don’t want to butcher it completely.” Lmao! 😂

That guitar needed a cigarette after this.

Even more amazing than the performance is that some lady requested a Steve Vai song at a brewery.

This man is playing a set at a small gig and pulled this out of his hat and just about brought tears to my eyes and stood the hair up on my arms. And there are people in studios that spend millions and still can’t make music that touches you like this.

I’m a 70 year old lady and just had a great time listening too this great music he puts out, I just picked his UTUBE channel up yesterday, and really enjoy what he does‼️ Keep it up young man you are awesome‼️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

When your 'exit strategy' is blowing a hole straight through the audience.

Looks at phone for 5 seconds. "I know guitar" Lawrence Fishburn leans in. "Show me"

I'm a guitar player and this is the most amazing FUCKING thing I've ever seen.. someone give that man a medal!!

The crazy thing about this is that if this wasn't recorded and shared the moment would be lost accept for the three people there. I go down a lot of internet rabbit holes and I do so just to find unicorns, nah, dragons like this! Carry on my dude!

Me and my wife were here that night. Stu & Paula, we moved here in march. We invited a friend named Kathy down from Georgia. We were the 3 out of about 6 people. Kathy learned from her son about Steve Via thru Merritt's music. Kathy asked David if he could play Tender Surrender by Steve Via. The rest was history. I call his music tender hard rock, and i know this was at the spur of the moment, nothing fake here. Great job David, reaching two million views and 6,400 comments in just 2 months.( Stay true to who you are)

You dont just casually look up the chords to a Steve vai song. This guy can shred

4 years and 3 days later, it's still awesome.

I can never listen to Steve vai's version after hearing this...can't tell you how many times I've listened to this....dayyyyaammm❤️

Don't worry... All the dislikes are my neighbours.

Audience: What kind of songs can you play? Dovydas: *Yes*

Hi, I am Peter from Germany and I am 54 years old. In former times I did music of my own and in orchestra. I played accordeon and piano, all instruments with key. Since I discovered you, specially this one, on YT, I look at it several times a month. I like the way how you put the things together.

I suffer from bad depression from time to time but I can always come back to this sv version when I'm really down and feel normal for 9 minutes,and for that I thank-you x

"I'm so glad I was recording. No one would ever believe I pulled this out of my ass for a crowd of two on a Tuesday night at a brew pub."

Dude has got the "pick of destiny "

You know there has got to be a God when someone this gifted exists... Straight up beautiful.

I come back here from time to time. Pure heaven for ears

Steve Vai has made a nice cover of this.

If I’m ever put on hold on a phone line I would prefer to listen to this . When they interrupt i would ask to be placed back on hold until I’m ready.

All of it was perfect but the ending, “Something like that, right?” Is Pure Gold. Well done 💎

can't believe it took me three years to find this... just incredible how you took that request and built the song right in front of our very eyes. An amazingly inspiring talent.

the guitar just got vai-olated

Who else are scrolling through the comments, listening to Døvy and smiling from ear to ear? Have a nice day♥️

As the one person who watches all your videos, I think this is one of, if not the, best thing you ever improvised. I hope your move went well and you soar on eagles wings.

I hope you gave your guitar a safe word

When you accidentally feed your guitar acid instead of taking it yourself lol

This is my favorite Dovy "cover"!🔥. I have it saved in my library and listen to quite often.

I find just as much enjoyment watching him build the songs and then play them.. Its really amazing watching him put these together. Works of art if you ask me.

you sir, have the most well behaved and respectfull bandmates I have ever seen. Bravo

This great and all, but if you really wanna cover Steve Vai you're gonna need a 60" fan blowing your hair back at about 80 mph while you work the wah pedal.

Dude this is so much better than just playing the song as the original version. You made tender surrender your own song

When your young listening to a song that has no words but you feel like there was singing. You get older and realize it was your heart.

"Let me look it up. I don't want to butcher it." Then proceeds to compose a masterpiece. Damn bro. Absolutely incredible.

For those questioning that this is real - I'm a professional composer and producer. I'm writing this from my studio. I also play guitar in a function band that is required to do impromptu requests on a regular basis. While Steve Vai is a hell of a request for a guitarist, Tender Surrender is actually quite simple. The section that Dovydas played is a slow 3-chord groove that doesn't change, apart from going soft, loud, soft. It's a semi-improvised jam, even on the original. Because Dovydas is an excellent player who clearly knows his equipment, and has a great musical memory, he was able to busk in the style of Steve Vai over the chord sequence. When you know your stuff, this isn't difficult. If this was staged, he would have included the other chord sequences from the song. He also would have included the song's main melody, which Vai revists throughout. For the person saying "if you think this wasn't staged you're not a real musician"... I don't think you're a real musician. A real musician would know that, actually, a straightforward pop song with lots of surprising chord changes would be a harder request. And as for the person saying that this was recorded in a studio because you can hear the background noise disappear after he starts playing, this is very simple. He faded out the vocal mic for KZfaq to make the video a bit cleaner after establishing the context with the woman's request at the beginning. I imagine he was running his live rig through a small mixer and into a sequencer on a laptop. Given that all his equipment is lined (electronics going directly into his PA rather than instruments with mics in front of them), once he muted the channel recording his vocal mic - no background noise. Case closed. ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY DOUBTS? COME AT ME. I'M GOING TO FIGHT THIS GUY'S CORNER.

I play a small amount. I've probably acquired at least half of the views off this. I saved this video and will forever play it when someone thinks they have something better to show me. You're a musical genius and I thank you for the masterpieces you continue to rock

I've seen this video over 100 times now and that damn guitar never stops giving me the chills or putting a smile on my face. Incredible 🎸

I am impressed! He kept his cool, didn't blow off the girl and say something derogatory like 'I don't play his stuff, or that song'. Then he stood there, researched it and built the song. Played it and never broke a sweat. Very confident, not cocky, approachable, and skilled. Very very good entertainer!!!

When KZfaq algorithm works well

"you try to do your best." Understatement of the year; that was heart and soul, man.

I love stopping by and listening to this masterpiece every so often. Love it man and what you do! Keeping it real, thanks!

When dovydas tells his girlfriend "I can do something like that", her world is about to be rocked.

I'm 73 and sometimes I despair over the music of today then I hear this thank you young man .I sat and played it to some nice single malt made my day

I still think this is his best performance, even to this day

Been watching for years. Sorry for the loss of your sax genius. I visit this video when I'm looking for improv perfection. Dude absolutely killed it. Long time fan. Wishing you the most this world has to offer.

No idea who you are, who Steve Val is, or what genre of music this is, but you made me fall in love with all three at once. You're an absolute legend, stranger.

I'm 67 and live in Australia. Can't remember how I found this, but know that I will be coming back to it regularly for a long, long time. Thanks for the great upload. Cheers.

Now 2021-10-27 i still think this is the best Dovydas... here you give it your all and it shows.. the new one know he is good... i like it more creative as you were. still one of the best artist around now and maybe even in future.. man you can play.

Man I doubt you'll come across this message. Hell theres already 17k comments. Anywho, you just reached a whole new level of respect my dude. I've got enjoyed watching you jam outside you have an amazing sense of music & you know how to use all those toys & put them together to do what they were designed to do. But what I saw on this video blew me away! That was fucking awesome! You should have grown up in the 80s, you would have been a rock star! Thank you for letting us enjoy your gift! Peace

shit day, get home, stick youtube on, come across this and suddenly life's got meaning again ~

"He's beginning to believe"

I need this man to perform at my future wedding. Forget hiring a dj 😂 need this ol boy. Protect him at all cost. He’s not of this century

Love the way handles everything My favourite Love to see him live 🙏

that moment when you think youre playing for less than 30 people but over 3 million people around the world are listening to you.

"there is no bad gig" - That's what a true musician says.

Probably one of my favorite videos to watch and listen to (and idk anything about Steve Vai). This really makes me think of classic ‘80’s movies, from Top Gun, Tron, Highlander… the ending credits of any Van Damme, Schwarzenegger, Stallone, or most other action films.

This is my first time hearing this and I see I am not alone.... I’m blown away man. Incredible!!

He texted Tank to upload the song through the Matrix.

Song building extraordinaire! I hope Steve Vai stumbles across this!

Been following Dovydas since this excellent video, its where I fell in love ❤ thats why I keep coming back revisiting how it all got started my obsession for more awesomeness in action, play it!!!

Even now after all this time I still love listening to this version ....the bass line with the lead guitar is excellent takes it up a notch from the bluesy original from the 'Via' ...good job Døvydas

"Got it" ..... understatement of the year brother You could almost see the moment your heart broke when you laughed at 17sec. Full props for a great job

Only a few guitar players would dare to play Steve Vai, that makes you a good one! congratulations!

And I’m back again years later... still just as amazed.

This is the first time i discovered you. 3 years ago i still remember to this day. I was just waking up that morning, checked youtube while still laying in bed. This was recommended. I felt compelled to watch. A wonderful experience. Seriously i was moved emotionally. It was a rough time in my life. Back then you had less than 50k subs i think. Now look at you! Congrats man, your amazing

"Got it" was such an understatement.

It's just so weird to think like 30 years ago you wouldn't get much recognition for your talent. But thanks to YT, you get 9M+ people who get to see it. This is the reason why I pay for Internet.

It takes a lot of courage to just get out there alone in front of an audience. But then to play like that...wow. All the practice. All the time alone. Keep playing. Just keep playing.

Absolutely incredible improv. Hit my soul bro. Brought emotions out that needed to come out and truly hit the spot. I’m so glad I came Across you today dude. Absolute greatness.

In 10 years they finally fixed "suggested"

I've never seen anybody tell a Lady to shut up more respectfully than that.

Goosebumps immediately I can’t stop listening!!!

i like how the guitar strap isn't inherently dirty, but at the same time it does appear to say "I'd smash"

Random person: hey, play this song Dovy: idk that song Dovy 2.5 seconds later: got it

Hey son can you play guitar. “No” Picks up phone, put phones down “Ok I got it”

Merci beaucoup pour se merveilleux moment ..je ne connaissait pas ce morceau ❤️🤗👍✌️

You've got to be one of the most talented people I've seen. I can't believe how you just belt out requests ... sometimes not even songs you know! I've subscribed to your channel and I've loved every one of your performances.

I was hoping she said Tender Surrender, that lady knows what the fuck is up.

At first I thought this is another troll video. But you just made me speechless. Hats off to you bro. You are a true musician.

Wow 6 years later and I still come back to this video. This was the video that introduced me to Steve vai and others like him. Thanks for the memories!!

I've been listening to this for 6 years and it never gets old

If this video was in Japan his fingers would be blurred out !!

I like the part when the guitar goes wah wah waahhh

So well done mate! Your version is beautiful to listen to. Wish I could play like that.

One of the best musical arrangements iI’ve ever heard

holy FUCK THIS IS DECENT, you're a fucking monster mate, more. Honestly, this is fucking just amazing.

Jesus Christ dude... I hope you never doubt your abilities... Badass .. simply badass

I watch this every few months and I feel like I still appreciate new things, it's crazy. Afyrr 5:00 the keyboard loop is elevated and complimented by the guitar so much you can forget a live player isn't with him. Proper mental.

Absolutely ASTOUNDING 😍!!!!!

"Something like that, right?" Yes! You fucking legend!

"Let me try to fake it"... I love the raw humblensess and slight humor of who you are, despite your obvious mastery of your skills. This interpretation had just the right amount of the original song blended with your own abilities. Keep this type of interpretation and your requesting audience will not be disappointed.

Amazing talent!!

been coming back to this video for years...pure gold!!!