Q: Where are you from?
A: I was raised in Bland, Va. It's a very innappropriate name for the most beautiful place on Earth. I lived there until I joined the Army after high school. I've now lived in Fauquier County, VA for 19 years...the 2nd most beautiful place on Earth!
Q: How old are you?
A: Ummm, I’m 40. Never expected to get there. Don't get me wrong, I didn't think I would die young...I just never saw myself as a 40 year old. Whatever. I act like I'm 19, so who cares, right?
Q: How did you get started in music?
A: There were always a couple old guitars laying around the house. My oldest brother is a great musician and loves to play bluegrass music. He showed me a couple chords when I was 9 so that I could accompany him while he picked his banjo. I farted around with it for a couple years, pretending that I was Ace Frehley from Kiss and posing in front of the mirror, but I never really got into playing until I saw the potential for gaining the attention of the girlies...then I buckled down and learned about 4 more chords! That's pretty much taken me through to where I am today...
Q: What is something you enjoy but are embarrassed to admit?
A: Ask those who really know me and they'll tell you I'm not embarrassed to admit anything. Whatever I've done in the past is just another stepping stone to what got me to this point in my life. Now, if you ask me about regrets....well, I've had a few.
But, somethings that I enjoy that others may be embarrased to admit...
- I love to cook, and really enjoy cooking for gourmet dinner parties...as long as someone else does the dishes.
- I love the theater and the ballet (I've done both in my youth, and plan on doing more theater when I'm tired of rockin')
- I love to sing cheesy synth-pop songs at the top of my voice when I'm driving alone in the car...
- I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and pray that JK Rowling writes more books in the near future
And there is probably a million more...
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I’m a member of MENSA.
Q: What gear do you use?
A: On what day? I've got too much gear, and I still can't find my "tonal bliss". I do love my Floyd Rose Redmond guitars of which I have 2.
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Blue...boring, I know.
Q: What are your favorite foods?
A: Hands down, Korean food. The hotter, the spicer, the stinky-er, the better. I eat it almost every day. I fell in love with it when I was stationed in Korea during my Army days.
Q: Other than music, what are your interests?
A: My family, first and foremost. Raising horses. Reading. Watching Jeopardy!. Watching just about any science-related show on TV...but not the stupid medical shows, which there seems to be a million of!
Q: What are some of your favorite movies?
A: 1-Patton, 2-Forrest Gump
Q: Who are your favorite guitar players?
A: Any one who can come up with something "tasty" and appropriate for the song. Steve Lukather of Toto is a great example...just listen to "Roseanna" and you'll know what I mean by "tasty". I also really admire Tony Rice, a genius who plays bluegrass guitar. He caused a paradigm shift in the world of bluegrass guitar with his use of jazz and rock elements in his soloing. His album, Manzanita is the gold-standard for flatpicked guitar.
Q: What is your favorite guitar solo?
A: Vito Bratta's solo on the song "Little Fighter" from the White Lion album "Mane Attraction". I can listen to it over and over again for hours. Very tasty!
Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: Naa...I just want everyone to feed my huge ego by coming out to our shows every night!
