played. I was more than happy to do that. My first real band was called Southside Rush. We called ourselves that because at our first show the students rushed and crashed the fence from the south side that was between us to get closer. It was at the Rosman High School football stadium. We thought we were on our way to stardom for sure. I was about 21 at that time. I'm still friends with one member of that group today. David Lee, he lives in Greenville S.C. down your way, and has a band called The Chillbillies.
When did you begin writing songs? That's a hard one there Buff, truth is I don't remember ever not writing or making up songs to sing even before I could write. I would sing to my dog or anything that I could hold and make listen to me. That's the truth man!
What was your first studio experience like?
I was 27 when I had my first taste of that. It was in Greenville S.C. in 1984 at Sandcastle Studios.
Really? (Laughs) I recorded there a long time ago.
I had two songs I was sure could be hits. I got my good friends Rickey and Ronnie Godfrey to help, and they enlisted Frank Wilkie, and Jerry Sharbel to join us. It was 55 dollars an hour for studio time and I was an hour late my first session. These guys had a ball with my inexperience. I asked who the drummer was and they told me "Oh, That's Jerry Sharbel, he's the drummer for Paul Revere and the Raiders." I stayed confused about that one all day. All in all we cut one song there that I'm still proud of today called 'Everything Is Blue.' We recorded on analog and it sounded like heaven to me when we got through.
How long have you been in Nashville now?
Well, after traveling back and forth to here from Brevard N.C. for a few years, we finally took the plunge and sold our home there and bought here and have been here since last january the 17th. We love it!
How has Nashville changed your music career?
Drastically! I have been more creative here than I have ever been in my entire life. I have quite a few irons in the fire getting hotter as we speak. Its the greatest city in the world. Just being here makes you step up your game to levels I personally didn't know I had in me. Its music city USA man. If you can make it here, you can play anywhere in the world and be welcomed.
Tell me about your latest album. My last album is called If I Could, I had one number one song from it (“Walk Away”), and five more songs from the ten songs released on the album to break through the top 20 in the Independent Music Network. I received two nominations for it in the annual IMN award ceremony last January. One for Favorite Impact Artist or Group, and one for Favorite Male Country Artist of the Year. No I didn't win, but was honored just to be nom- inated. Its a world wide network.
Are you working on another? I'm actually working on several album proj- ects that will be released late this year, and early 2013, as well as appearing in a national Williams and Ree production as Wild Bill Hickok. I love doing that man!
What have been some of the most memorable events since you moved to Nashville?
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