“There are so many people who have inspired me throughout my career. I’ve been able to work with many of my heroes like Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell and Merle Haggard to name a few. But I’d have to say that what made me try to do this music thing was my dad and his friends, playing all kinds of music, right in my own backyard.
On summer nights they would get together often. Somebody brought the potato salad, somebody brought the bar-b-que, somebody brought the beer, and everybody brought an instrument. They played anything and everything. If they thought was interesting, if they could figure it out on the guitar, they’d play it. From Elvis to Patsy Cline and Hank Williams to Frank Sinatra, I got to hear it all.
When I was 11 or 12, I was allowed to join the adults with my guitar. I think the first song I learned was “Red River Valley” or “In the Jailhouse Now”. But I definitely remember the night that I got to lead the grown ups in a song for the first time. Neil Young’s Harvest album came out when I was about 13. I got got a hold of the songbook and learned every song on that album. And then, when my turn came, I played “Heart of Gold” while the adults backed ME up! That moment meant everything to me. It was the biggest thrill in the world, my first stage, and the biggest musical influence in my life.”
Those are some of my favorite memories with my Dad, Grandaddy and Grandma, aunts and uncles, and cousins. They would play at my grandparents’ house, or we would go to a local country store, and the men would play their guitars, announcing the song just before they jumped in on it. My Grandaddy sang like Red Foley, and my Grandma had a lovely voice that worked perfectly with Grandaddy’s. Great memories, and it’s nice to hear yours as well!