14, Guitarist
Why He’s interesting: For the past three years, this 14-year-old riff master has been showcasing his talents to get Cavs, Guardians and Browns fans amped during pregame and halftime shows, performing to up to 65,000 people. “I get so pumped up by the crowd. I’m pretty sure my mom, dad and sister cried the first time they saw me play for so many people.” The youngster has accompanied Ozzy Osborne guitarist Zakk Wylde during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-themed game and landed endorsement deals with EarthQuaker Devices and S.I.T. Strings, both out of Akron.
In Training: Beginning his guitar journey at age 4, before performing and taking lessons at The School of Rock when he was 7 years old, the Rocky River High School student now spends eight hours a day on the weekends and three hours a day on weekdays rehearsing. He’s also in the jazz band at school and takes part in the Jazz Academy at Tri-C. “My future goals are to continue to get better at all genres of music. I also want to play at some large venues outside of Ohio, like Coachella, and eventually attend the Berklee College of Music or the Musicians Institute in California.”
A Family Affair: Stakolich’s father, Brian, says he thinks it was a combination of his son hearing his grandmother playing The Beatles when he was just a kid and the extensive record collection Brian, self-proclaimed audiophile and music appreciator, that lit the fire under Max. “My Grandma loves The Beatles and played them for me a lot which inspired me on the guitar, and I started teaching myself to play their songs,” says the young rocker. Max is from a musical family. His father, Brian family would sit around the proverbial ‘campfire’ playing what Brian calls, “California Rock.” Stuff like The Eagles, Jackson Brown and Buffalo Springfield whilst throwing in the occasional Led Zeppelin or The Kinks songs. One day he surprised his dad by asking, “How do I become the best guitar player?” Now, Stakolich has joined in these sessions — music as a family bonding conduit.
The Blues Lineage: While Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen and the late Cleveland legend Glenn Schwartz (founding member of the James Gang) are influences, local virtuosos — such as E.T. King and Michael Bay and the Bad Boys of Blues — help him hone his chops at the Brothers Lounge Jam nights. “I get to jam with some of the best around.”
For the Gear Heads: He has about 14 guitars, but when asked his axe of choice, he unequivocally responds, “I’m a Strat Guy,” ‘strat’ referring to, of course, Fender’s famed Stratocaster, favorite of many rock gods including Jimi Hendrix. The 14-year-old virtuoso, who in between playing can be found shooting baskets or playing ping pong at his Rocky River home, is endorsed by the Akron-based EarthQuaker Devices and loves his tube screamer by EQD, Plumes. He most recently added to his collection of over 30 pedals The Canyon, a delay pedal offered by Electro-Harmonix. Stakolich’s amp of choice is a classic Fender Blues Junior but after blowing him up he has been jamming through a Fender deluxe reverb which he has customized with Tonespeak speakers. The young man has also landed himself an endorsement deal with S.I.T. (Stay In Tune) also out of Akron who also endorses Dan Auerbach of ‘Akronites,’ The Black Keys and his most recent project The Arcs. Ironically the youngster was able to meet Auerbach and even snap a picture.
StakHouse: The name of Stak’s band, which includes Stakolich on guitar, Brady Lorince (age 13) on vocals, Danny McDonald (age 15) on bass guitar and Eli Berger (age 14) on drums. Look out for an EP of original songs on March 7 and a release party at the House of Blues on March 8.
Meet the rest of the 2025 class of Most Interesting People >>
For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.
Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.
