Christmas Eve, 1954, 6:04 pm (I'm told), I made my entrance into the world. Small towns in West Tennessee like mine were said to be around 10 years behind most of the northern cities in most every way. Yet, we somehow managed.
Our family left Tennessee when I was around age 4 or 5 and headed north to Chicago to seek a better way of life. Talk of great manufacturing jobs available there was the draw that put us on a path that would last about 6 years. I remember walking to school in the windy city; pitching pennies and playing marbles on the sidewalk; trying to see over giant rows of snow along the streets in the winter; and feeling a sense of security--which might be harder to find in current times, at least in some areas of the city.
We moved back to Tennessee when I was in the 6th grade. I grew up pretty much unconcerned about growing up until around age 9, when I discovered my grandfathers violin strategically hidden in my grandparents bathroom linen closet. I sneaked it out of the case and "scratched" on it with the accompanying bow one day while no one was around. It (or, really I) sounded horrible. But, it made me smile.
From that point on I would be increasingly interested in all instruments with strings--mostly guitars. Turns out my grandfather (Isom) would show me my first chords on a cheap acoustic I had managed to get a hold of from some place I can't recall. Soon, I went on to beg for a Silvertone electric guitar (from Sears, I believe) with the case that doubled as an amp with a built-in speaker. I achieved my goal and soon had my own Silvertone. it was black and white with lots of speckles. It was beautiful in it's day. And I spent most of my time sitting on the edge of my bed trying to learn how to play "Satisfaction," by the Rolling Stones, and every Beatle song I could get my hands on, via 45 records and vinyl albums.
It was during my teenage years I experimented with the banjo, harmonica and an assortment of guitars including a Gibson SG, Gibson Les Paul Junior, Yamaha acoustic, Ovation acoustic/electric (for the road), and an assortment of off-brand instruments that filled in when I did not have money to buy "the best."
Through my teenage years and beyond, I worked solo gigs, duos and trios as well as sharing stages with several country bands, rock and roll bands, Top 40 groups, blues, jazz fusion bands, southern rock bands and several folk groups. I have many great memories playing with the Tennessee River Crooks. TRC was my first taste of making music as a serious musician. The band will always have a special place in my heart. Great musicians as well as great friendships.
I count it a great blessing to have performed and recorded with many individuals whom I have admired and respected over the years, including singing with Amy Grant on a Christmas album that was distributed to the US military overseas; singing backup for Dolly Parton on one of the CMA Awards shows on live network TV; singing behind Michael McDonald in a church service at Christ Church Nashville; playing on a recording session with Billy Ray Reynolds and Richie Albright (Waylon Jennings lead guitar man and drummer); playing guitar on a recording session with some of George Jones' band members at Belmont College in the basement recording studio at the college; and performing with Christian group The Elect and Christ Church Choir (2000-2003), singing behind and/or opening for many great Christian Artists such as some of The Gaither Homecoming artists, The Cathedrals, The Kingsmen, Sandy Patty, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Larnell Harris, Michael English, and most every Christian touring group during the late 1980's... I am thankful for these wonderful experiences and all of the great blessings God has placed in my life through music.
These days, I spend most of my time writing and recording songs at my home in the hills outside Nashville and playing various live music venues. My greatest hope and prayer is that through my musical efforts others will be pointed toward Jesus Christ and his Cross.