For over 40 years I played lead guitar and did back-up vocals in various country bands. It has been one of the greatest thrills of my life. But, these days I stay at home and compose songs, both lyrics and music.
My writing style is much broader than just country music. I also write southern rock, a little blues, lots of smooth jazz and movie themes and even some latin music. I have been writing for about 20 years and hope to for quite a few more years.
Almost 35 years as a performer on stage and nearly twenty years writing songs. So far, no major cuts. But, there's always hope!
I don't often play professionally anymore. But, if the right opportuinity came along, well....
My greatest influence as a guitarist were Fred Newell and a local St. Louis guy by the name of Charley Tucker. Steve Wariner has also been influential in more recent years.
My songwriting influences include Skip Ewing, Harlan Howard, Tom T. Hall, Merle Haggard, Cindy Miller and Corky "Greydawg" Bernard.
Right now, I'm using a Washburn acoustic guitar, an Alverez Electric-Acoustgic, Fender Telecaster FMT HH electric guitar, and a Casio Keyboard..
I like to play around and experiment with styles. I've never been a big advocate of the "expert rules" for songwriting. I think they're great guidlines but far from hard and fast impositions. If we all wrote religously by the same rules, a lot of what hits the airways would sound pretty similar after a while...don't you think?