Centerstage
Written by Lori Boatfield
Photos by Steve Babin
Tell our readers about yourself. I’m a local
Huntsville musician who has played in town since
the 80s. I’ve played many great local bands, played
guitar on tour for Beebe and CeCe Winans, Brother
Cane and the current lineup of the Atlanta Rhythm
Section. I have written/produced music for TV and
movies.
First song you learned on guitar? Green River
by CCR was the first song I played by ear. I used to
watch my dad play drums along to CCR records so
that’s kind of what sparked it!
How old were you when you first performed
for an audience? I was 11 years old, 5th grade
at Weatherly Elementary. My band ROX played a
ragtag instrumental version of Smoke on the Water
for the 5th grade talent show. My parents recorded
it on cassette. For years I would laugh at how sloppy
the music sounded, but the powerful roar of the
crowd when we finished pretty much sealed the deal
for my future!
You’ve played alongside some big names in
music. Who has been your favorite? There are
really too many to name, but I would have to say
Eddie Van Halen. He was a huge influence on me.
I missed my 10-year reunion because my band
Brother Cane was opening for Van Halen! Eddie
couldn’t have possibly been any nicer.
What’s on your playlist these days? A lot of of my
old favorites – The Beatles, The Who, Joni Mitchell,
Marvin Gaye, all across the board. Plenty new stuff
as well (new to me!) like Tame Impala, Silversun
Pickups, Weyes Blood, Khruangbin/Leon Bridges to
name a few.