by Eric McKenna

Back in late 2004, another amazing person strolled into BSG. Steve Berger.

Steve had contacted me after his guitar hero, Dimebag Darrell was so terribly killed. Steve had heard that BSG had all the final Washburn USA Custom Shop Dimebag Signature guitars as well as all the remaining Dimebag Washburn clothing.

The moment Steve walked into BSG we had an instant bond. Ourfrienship was in an instant and he immediately became a regular face at BSG. Like Roon, Steve was always around to help out with all the big BSG events including the delivery of the 2006 Custom Washburn BSG imports as well as all the custom run USA projects.

During our busiest time, Steve used to leave his job as a mechanic in Downtown Pittsburgh and drive to BSG to help out with shipping, inventory and just – basically – anything.

While Freddy Kowalo will claim naming Steve ‘The Hitman’… it was truly me. Steve has this incredible way of ‘letting out steam’ regarding many of the issues he encounters during the day and it’s ALWAYS some of the most funny exchanges imaginable. He likes to make everyone constantly believe he is mad at the world – when in fact – he is one of the most generous and humble people you will ever meet. This fact, coupled with him being a true ‘go to’ guy, lead me to calling him ‘The Hitman’. And it just stuck!

Steve is an amazing guitar player in his own right. While not playing out – he has spent many, many days (and nights!) at BSG testing and testing andreviewing so many of the BSG Washburn and Rico guitars that arrive. His control over the Floyd Rose is downright scary.

Many of the BSG videos feature Steve and much of his music. As a matter of fact for a good portion of 2006 and 2007 – I think Steve’s video humor wasmore anticpated than the BSG news on our videos!

I’ve met some of the most amazing people throughout all the years of Boogie Street. And Steve is one of the most amazing. The amount of kindness and consideration he has shown to Krissy and I and my kids over the past couple of years is downright amazing. I’ve literally left the entire BSG operation in his hands during travel and sickness and Steve just kept the business chuggin’ along. Never asking anything in return. He is just that type of guy.