Home Town: Ardmore, Oklahoma
Music Genres: Influence in many genres, from classic rock to classic country
What makes you unique as an artist? All around musician & writer, as well as vocalist.
What instruments do you play: Started early on drums and piano, graduated to guitar, bass, steel guitar, fiddle, mostly guitarist.
Tell us about yourself: Oklahoma born, raised on a cattle ranch I now own and operate. Spent 18 years in Nashville area as a teacher, writer, demo singer. Worked briefly as a writer and demo singer with Gatlin Bros Music Resources in Nashville. Returned home to Oklahoma after retirement from a teaching and coaching career in TN public schools. Worked for Hillsboro Middle School in Leipers Fork, TN for 16 years. True Value competition winner for the state of TN in the late 90s.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music? Collecting guitars and cattle ranching
What inspired you to start playing and performing music? Elvis movies. Many great records around our house when I was young. Had a cousin who played and sang who taught me a few things initially. Realized I could sing. My Uncle turned me on to Haggard.
What makes a song great? A story or idea that can be relatable to many people or has a catchy or memorable lyric or melody line.
Do you write music? Yes, did so professionally during my early years in Nashville
When did you first perform and what was it like? My very first vocal performance was in the fourth grade during a Christmas play when I sang my desired Christmas list. I still remember the words and melody.
Who are your influences? Many…Elvis, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Ronnie Milsap, Gatlin Bros, Michael McDonald, Steve Wariner, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill…
What awards have you won for your music? Won a song contest in my hometown when I wrote a song about Ardmore ‘s Centennial Birthday, True Value winner, had a song in the Dotty West Story, Big Dreamt and Broken Hearts
What advice would you give someone that is trying to break into music? Get a good demo, get a few gigs, work hard to hone your craft, and don’t ever give up, it’s a gift you were given, it’s who you are!
If you could meet anyone, living or otherwise, who would it be? I have already met a lot of those people…Merle Haggard, one of my biggest influences.