When did you first know you wanted to become a musical artist? What was the first song you ever wrote?
I don’t remember wanting to do anything else other than play music. The first song I ever wrote was “Watching the Clouds Roll Away” when I was 10-yrs-old.
Who are some of your top 5 musical influences?
My influences were any artists I could hear or get any type of recordings from. The singing in the Primitive Baptist acapella singing (no musical staff), like the acapella singing of Ralph Stanley. Dolly and Porter really influenced me. I had a great uncle who gave me an 8-track player along with a few tapes of Dolly and Porter. He worked for Ford Motors in Detroit and would bring or send new tapes when he could. I got a sampler 8-track one time that included many different artists. It was made so folks could listen to the stereo in the new vehicles. This one included Johnny Mathis, Barbra Streisand, some Orchestra music and Lester & Earl. There were others but I can’t recall now. My Mother and Grandmother always sang the songs they grew up hearing in the mountains. As I got older and found the library, I found Simon & Garfunkel and other folkier artist’s albums I could check out and play when we were near a record player. I also loved a lot of the Rock I heard on the radio like Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac and so many of the early to mid-70’s. There was something musically familiar about all of them with those harmonies, expressions of lead vocals and the instrumental drive that is so much like the approach of bluegrass.
What new music have you been listening to lately?
Ed Sheeran is quite a talent, also Kelly Clarkson has a naturally awesome voice! I really like Tyler Childers too.
How’s the music scene in your locale?
I moved back to my hometown in Southeastern Kentucky about 10 years ago. It’s deep coal country, so not a lot of music here as we live on the Kentucky side of The Cumberland Gap. I’ve been part of a group that is always working to bring music and art to The Gap. Its only a mile or two from Lee County (VA), Claiborne County (TN) and my home of Bell County (KY).
What do you like most about playing live?
I love playing live. There’s the face-to-face connection with folks and a freedom to do what you’re feeling at the moment.
Is there a song on your upcoming CD release that stands out as your personal favorite, and why?
There are quite a few that are favorites on the upcoming project, as it is heavily Kentucky themed. I may have to get this one completed before picking favorites. I am getting an opportunity to record with all my favorite artists.
What’s the best concert you’ve been to?
I don’t get a chance to see other artists perform due to our schedule, but there are some artists I’d like to see though.
If you could meet, play a gig, co-write a song, have dinner, have a drink with any band or artist (dead or alive) who would it be?
I’d like to have talked to Janis Joplin, Dolly and Jim Croce.
What are your goals for the future?
I hope to keep making music, performing, and meeting new folks as long as I can.
End of Interview