People have asked me to describe my style of music and I have a hard time describing it myself. That may be problematic from the business side, but from an artist's perspective, it’s the best problem to have.
First and foremost, I am a storyteller. Before I started writing songs, I tried writing fiction. I've always been a lover of books and an admirer of how the masters use the English language. I am also a third generation guitar player whose father and grandfather appreciated high fidelity. My grandfather sang and told his favorite stories around the campfire and my father did so through his endless collection of records. I'm a product of that tradition. I get to combine the two things I love: good, honest, stories and music.
My grandfather came from a country western tradition: Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare, John Prine. My father introduced me to Billy Joel, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones,Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, and many others on repeat. I certainly had a lot of models to guide me.
After college I lived in Nashville and I thought that if I was going to live there, I had to develop my modern country vocabulary. I really liked artists like Eric Church and Zac Brown because they tell good stories and are incredible musicians. Then one day I heard ZZBs cover of “Dress Blues” and saw the credit was to Jason Isbell. Those breadcrumbs led me to the man who I consider one of my song writing heroes. And, he happens to have the same producer as Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson.
So the answer to the question of who am I as a writer is best inferred from my musical education. I'm a combination of all my best teachers. Call it to rock, country, americana, or somewhere in between.
My forthcoming album will attest to this tradition. I tackle themes such as self criticism, reconciling relationships, adjusting to change, falling in love, and navigating heartbreak. Expect a fall 2018 release.
I am available for solo and accompanied sets, as an opening act, private events and private lessons.