songs? What is your approach to song- writing. I have done that once with Karen Staley, it went well. Sort of surreal, one of the first songs I ever "covered" was "Let's Go to Vegas." She wrote that and I was in a room writing with her. Up ‘til now, I just get these hooks in my head and I run with them. I am primarily a lyricist. Every song on my records are all my own lyrics. I struggle with melodies, but not as much lately. I generally start at home and write it, and if I can't get the melody, I will go to someone to help with that part. Hell, I have hummed melodies to people just because I am not a great guitar player and can't get them to sound right. My nephew helps me sometimes with that.
Who are your favorite, or most influen- tial songwriters? Anthony Smith, Edwin McCain, Karen Staley, Chris Wallin, Jeffrey Steele, Leslie Satcher.
Same question, but musicians? My influential musicians are all over the map. I love everyone from Edwin McCain to Tool, to Journey, Cash, Waylon, Shooter, Hank III, Little River Band, Linda Perry -(Laughs) That sounds
crazy.To sum it up, I am influenced by people who do their thing, stick to it, be true, be different and not give in. It's easy to sound or be like someone else already doing it. It's tough as hell do be who you are and be suc- cessful. But all the ones who were true to what they believed in will always last through time.
As far as performing, you still do solo stuff right? Yes, actually acoustic gigs are easier for me. Less over head, more freedom to play a lot more material
And the band? Who all plays in your
band? Right now, it depends on the gig, who I hire for it. Keeping an original band together at my level is tough and stressful. My piano player, David Walker, is always with me.
What have been some of the high points for you in your career thus far? I am fortunate that my very top favorite artists or writers know who I am and I have met them all. I am lucky to have had press quotes from Shooter Jennings and Edwin Mc- Cain and Anthony Smith. Not many people get down here and actually get to know their main influences.
Tell us about your CD Southern Hospi- tality. Who produced, who played on it, all about it. Enquiring minds want to know. I was lucky to make that record. I was lucky to be able to choose the songs that went on it. I wrote it all, had co-writers on many of the songs but that record was all me - and being told, "go make it, who cares what anyone thinks" was a great feeling. I had some of my band play on it. I played acoustics on it. Kenny Olsen, Wayd Battle, Dave Macafee, Mark Lambert all played on it. I called Brent Mason to play on two tracks and my engineer said, "you don't just call Brent Mason." (Laughs) I do. I got to use Peter Keys from Skynyrd, I had great players on it.
What are your future plans? I have a few things to think about right now as far as this latest record and the artist side of my career. I am not sure which road I am gonna take. Right now, my main focus is gonna be songwriting, getting my catalog or- ganized, really concentrating on co writing and pitching songs. I have way too many to just sit here and wait for someone to knock on my door.
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