In the early 1980’s, I started working with a small band in Long Beach California (The Ten Inch Men) as a guitar tech/ Roadie they later got a record deal and I was asked by the label to work with some of their other acts, one being Emerson Lake and Palmer - my first experience with seasoned Artist/musicians. After that I was asked to tour with X, a critically acclaimed punk band from Los Angeles. I would say this was a big turning point for me in music appreciation. High Energy Art. It was there that I met Tony Gilkyson, guitarist for X and likely my all time favorite guitar player and the person that introduced me to the vintage guitars and amp world. He later asked me to join him on tour with Sam Phillips as their Guitar Tech, the band also included Jerry Sheff on bass and T Bone Burnett on guitar. A year or so had past and I got a call from T Bone asking if I could come down to the studio for a few days and set up some guitars. I was there for 2 years working on records back to back and sometimes 2 or 3 at the same time. That was 1994, 14 years later, I’m still fortunate to be involved in most T Bone Burnett Projects. If I were to give credit to any one person that has influenced me the most, It would be T Bone Burnett. He introduced me to a wide variety of sound and technique, tone blending expanded my knowledge and appreciation for all instruments and music, he also taught me how to hear. I am currently on tour with Robert Plant Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett. I have been fortunate to have had many special and magical experiences in my career but my top two would be sitting in a small cabin in Copenhagen Demark with Johnny and June Carter Cash - just chatting about life, music, the heat and which dress June should wear. Equally, The day I explained to my father what exactly I do for a living and he pondered for a moment and then said “Where I come from we would call you an artist”.
List of artists I have had the pleasure to work with: Akiko Yano, T Bone Burnett, Sam Phillips, Stephen Bruton, Tony Gilkyson, X, Dave Alvin, The Blasters, BB King, Christopher Cross, Greg Leisz, Brandi Carlile, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Marc Ribot, Jim Keltner, Jay Bellerose, Keefus Ciancia, Jade Vincent, Sting, Mathew Sweet, Michael Penn, Patrick Warren, Brian Wilson, ELP, Buddy Miller, GE Smith, Jakob Dylan, John Fogerty, Bob Glaub, Johnny Lee Schell, Lenny Kravitz, The Ell’s, Norman Blake, Mavis Staples, Dr John, Nathan East, Nicky Hopkins, Jonathan Moffett, Mike Elizondo, Elvis Costello, Autolux, John Mellencamp, Robert Randolf, Michael Piersante, Rob Machado, Kelly Slater, Peter King, Kenny Aronoff, Natalie Merchant, John Brion, Taj Mahal Darrell Leonard, Ann Savoy, Macy Grey, Peter Case, Tonio K, David Mansfield, Cassandra Wilson, Dr Ralph Stanley. Films: Cold Mountain, Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Don’t come Knocking, The Lady Killers, Walk The Line, Across The Universe, The Blues: Soul Of A Man.