Influences... this part makes me laugh! My main influences are heart break, lyin' cheatin' no good women, losing my money and creditors.
No, my real influences are all GOOD music and:
Billy Preston Allen Toussaint Prof. Longhair Dr. John Moses Tyson Jr. Monk Brother Jack McDuff Wild Bill Davis Ray Charles Johnny "Guitar" Watson Louie Prima Bill Withers Mose Allison Jamie Cullum William Bell Bill Doggett James Booker Booker "T"
I am a blues/jazz/funk based keyboardist, songwriter, producer and bassist. I got an early start in this business. At age 19 I signed my first publishing contract. At age 21, I relocated to Austin, TX and in 6 months time was selected to play keys with Austin's "Godfather of the Blues" W.C. Clark. With W.C., I toured the US relentlessly, putting hundreds of thousands of miles on our Ford van, playing famous blues clubs and festival dates. We also made a CD somewhere in there. It was this experience that really solidified my love for soul, gospel and blues. And not to mention, spawned a catalogue of hilarious road stories. I stayed with W.C. on and off for 4 years.
Living in Austin for 8 years, I also got to know and work with some of her best musicians including Derek O'Brian, Frosty, Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon, Matt Powell, Rob Ramos, Nico Leophonte (Funky Frenchy) and most prominently Seth Walker (the original one). Seth and everybody who ever worked for him are outstanding musicians, so my jazz and swing chops were born and my mind was opened to a new level of creative songman-ship. Seth is a hell of a songwriter and that experience taught me a love for fusing roots music into original creative songwriting.
Around 2001, I joined forces with the incredibly talented, funky musical wizzard Hamiton Loomis (who just put out a great new CD "Ain't Just Temporary".) Ham and I toured the US almost non-stop for 3 years together, includeding multiple blues festival dates, a record contract with Blind Pig Records and a CD release titled "Kickin' It" - which features my keyboard work as well as my songwriting (Better Man and Something's Gonna Come My Way.)
I took a touring hiatus in 2005 and moved to the mountains of Durango, Co to open an original music-based coffee shop called Pure Soul Coffee (www.puresoulcoffee.com) and took time off to write and continue honing my craft.
The time off was nice, butI have now decided to get back on the road again and am currently touring full time with Coco Montoya (www.cocomontoya.com) as well as playing locally and building my new studio. I love the life I live and live the life I love!
Hey Brant... the tracks on your page sound great! I'm an old friend of Coco's... please say hi from "Katers" in Chicago. AND, if you're in Austin on 5/19, please stop by the Continental Club... my husband Nick Moss and his great band will be there! Best wishes from The Windy City...
Hey Now Brant Thanks For The Add.... Pretty Great Playin W/ Coco... I Met Him @ The Classroom..... Awesome Blues Man......... Have A Fantastic Tour.... Louise
FireFleye
