We used to go downtown on Broadway, and he would take his banjo and I’d take my gui- tar and we’d hang on the corner of 3rd and Broad. He was a gifted musician. We just loved to do things together, Ryan and me and my younger boy, Derek.
And your happiest memory of Papa Don. They’re all happy. I can’t pick just one, other than the fact that I got to play with him on the Grand Ole Opry. Getting to play with him on the Volunteer Jam was great. There’s clips of that on YouTube. Anytime he’d get to go out and play shows with us. Those would be my greatest memories.
Donnie, sum up if you would, your overall feel- ings regarding the Winters Brothers Band. Those were some of the best years of my life and I enjoyed every minute of it.
ever heard was on the stage of the Opry - Jimmy Capps and Leon Rhodes; Jimmy “Spi- der” Wilson, Joe Edwards. As far as vocalists, number one, I’d have to
Donnie & Dennis back up Toy Caldwell
Who are your favorite guitar players ever? Singers? I’ll have to start with my all time favorite, Carlos Santana. He inspired me from the first time I ever heard him on the radio. Grady Martin who plays on Marty’s early record- ings; my uncle, Ray Edenton who was a Nashville session player for over 40 years; Jimmy Capps who’s being inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame this month. All of the Grand Ole Opry staff musicians who I could call by name, who influenced me when I was there. Some of the finest twin guitar playing I
say Marty Robbins cause he influenced me so much. Then my dad would be right there with him. Not a second, but right there beside him. My dad taught me how to sing (and to yodel). Other ones, I’d have to stay with the country vein, Ray Price influenced me at an early age and Roy Acuff. As far as rock singers goes, I like so many of them, Crosby, Stills and Nash, they influenced me as far as harmonies go. Emmylou Harris has been a big in- fluence. I love her music. Today’s artists, I love Brad Paisley, his vocals as well as his gui- tar playing. Josh Turner, George Strait, of course, Gene Watson (the singer- Gene Watson our old bass
player is one of my favorite bass players)
What are you working on now? Are you recording the long awaited solo record? I am really looking forward to that one! I mix sound and host the Tuesday Writer’s
Night at Douglas Corner in Nashville. I also play around town with friends or at Debbie Champion’s writers nights at the Commodore Lounge and with Scott Rath at Mickey Roo’s in Franklin occasionally. I’m also working on a new CD which is
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