Growing up in a family of musicians in Shreveport, Louisiana, it was almost inevitable for me to develop an interest in music at a young age. My father was a versatile musician, primarily playing vocals and guitar in various bands and alongside notable artists like Faron Young, Jeanie C Riley, and Waylon Jennings. I also had two uncles who were a drummer and a pedal steel player, which added to the musical environment of my upbringing.
My father gave me my first guitar at the age of eight, and I quickly started to learn chords, melodies, and hone my ear. When I turned 12, my father needed a bass guitar player for his band and I was selected for the role. Since I was already proficient in playing the guitar, it was easy for me to transfer my skills to the bass guitar. I began to understand what it meant to be a supporting rhythm section musician and started playing at various gigs, including NCO dances, local jamborees, and retirement homes, where I played alongside more experienced musicians. These gigs were booked through the local musicians union and taught me valuable lessons about the realities of being a working musician.
As I grew older, I played in several bands ranging from Progressive Country to Blues and Rock and Roll. I even lived in Nashville, Tennessee for a few years, playing with regional acts, before eventually moving to Texas in 1980 to join a band. Despite playing various genres, I always came back to my favorite music, which is older country/western and bluegrass, the music that I grew up playing. Recently, I have developed a newfound passion for playing Gospel/Bluegrass music, which I find to be a more genuine form of music that remains true to its original roots.
