About
A little about myself
Im 31, live in Plano Texas (Dallas) and Im a total music geek.
I started playing violin in the 4th grade and found out about fiddling at the end of the first year. It was so much more fun, so I ran with that. My first song was Devils Dream. From there I joined District 4 California Old Time fiddle association. I learned plenty. If your in California, I would highly suggest joining. Anyway, I got some private lessons and did the contest fiddle thing. My first band was Orange County Special. We played parties, weddings and such.
In high school I started to take lessons from Dennis Fetchet. Dennis taught me the bulk of my style and improvisation skills. My Kenny Baker sound is really from playing with him.
From there, I was picked up by Dave Dickey and the Slover Mt boys. Dave was one of the original members of Lost Highway and hardcore Bluegrass all the way. Dave taught me all the bluegrass standards and what real style means when it comes to neckwear.
So on to College where I met Steve Schaff and formed the Floyds . We played off and on the whole time doing coffee shops, bars and UCSD events. Our Banjo player, Nora, eventually founded the Meat Purveyours in Austin. I also played with “Taken By Storm” for several years.
For Grad school at UCLA (Electrical Engineering) I ran into Reggie Gaylord and we formed the unfamous “Bluegrass 90210″. We had one stellar gig at the Beverly Hills polo club. We spent out money on LA studio pickers just so we could play with them.
So I graduated, moved to Texas, but did not play much for a few years. The music scene lacked the Bluegrass I so loved, but I eventually found out about that whole insurgent country thing while responding to a musicans ad. My freind Greg Marmalejo had an ad for ALT.COUNTRY. I asked, whats that…”well its kinda like country, without the hicks”. I found out about bands like the Gourds , Whiskeytown , Slobberbone and Sun Volt as well as all the Texas songwriters. I also joined up with Danny Balis for the Bradfords. He went on to join up with the Ticket, but I get to occasionally play with Danny and Corby.
Now I play with JD Whittenburg in a band called Trainwreck. I am having a ball with these guys. Its kinda Jayhawkish…I dunno. Check it out on www.mp3.com and figure out what you want to pigeonhole it as for yourself. We just got T-shirts and Stickers. Its SO F-ing cool to have stickers. We got ours at www.stickerguy.com. They were CHEAP and worth it. Look for trainwreck stickers on the condom dispenser at your local bar.
I also play with Nancy “Shaggy” Moore as well as doing some fill in work for Mark David Manders. He has some great songs and is a blast to play with as well.
I also have played a bit with Mo Robson. He plays in Dallas and this band is getting tighter and tighter every week. Here are a few picks with them. The band.
The latest project is the “Boys Named Sue”. A very fun band including Scotty Tecce from the Harmonaires, John Pedigo from slick57, Rocky Garza from Marfa lites and the occasional pedal steel. (either Todd Pertell or Arron from 1100).
I also play Mandolin, Guitar, Keyboard, Loops and am currently learning the Banjo. Im a good enough musician to realize that I need lessons here though.
Other Pages:
Yahoo: http://profiles.yahoo.com/robstave