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I was born in the metropolis of Winchester Va in 1965, but moved to Richmond in 1970, and have resided here ever since. The original music influence in my life was my Grandfather (a devout bluegrass fan) who turned me on to the guitar as a young boy, but I did not begin playing until 9th grade. Watching some older guys in the Meadowbrook High School Gong Show was the impetus for me begging my parents to buy me a guitar, and start the journey to rock and roll superstardom. (Thanks Mom and Dad!)
My early exposure to “cool” music was from raiding my Dad’s record collection, where I found gems such as Little Feat, Rolling Stones, Robert Palmer, Ry Cooder and Randy Newman. Soon after, I began playing in garage bands with my high school buddies Duane Snead, Bruce Jones and later Pat Porter (Travis Allison Band) and the ubiquitous Chris Williams (Pat McGee Band). Some very embarrassing, but highly entertaining recordings exist, which will ensure that none of us would ever hold public elected office (imagine Frank Zappa with considerably less talent).
When I went off to James Madison University ($$$ well spent Mom & Dad!), I formed a band called Ottoman and the Turks with some killer musicians (Scooter Thomas, Dave Guidash and Chris Rossbach) and we gained a respectable following in a semester and ½ . At this point (after much frustration with finding lead vocalists) I began “lead vocalist” duties, and tested the tympanic membranes and harmonic sensibilities of anyone who heard us play (to quote Monty Python, “I got better!”). But the real world called, we all graduated in 1987 (except for Chris who later formed Glass Onion with Doug and Geoff Coats) and I returned to Richmond, where I met my lovely wife Michelle and started our family.I played in local band (Krankenhaus) with Andy Penland and Kevin Osborne which was invaluable in helping me hone songwriting skills. I played in Krankenhaus for a couple years before going into “hibernation” until Doug called a fews years ago. We started the band "nobody" but eventually changed the name to Big Boss Man.
And I'm LOVING it! |
