Me - All Guitars on everything you hear; Keys, Synth and Bass on "Smooth Idea"
Jeff Beal - Drums on Spaz Funk
Ari Mendes - Bass on Spaz Funk
Josh Fry - Drums on Four on Six and Summertime
Nate Goodlet - Bass on Four on Six and Summertime
Ashley Albritton - Vocals on Summertime
Influences
A lot of stuff... Here's a sampling... in the form of my Last.fm recently played chart!
Welcome again! So, I've been playing guitar since I was 14 originally studying with local guitarist Doug Large. It is his influence that kept me interested in playing the guitar for the long haul. During this period, I spent most of my time playing at Church and learning a bunch of music from two primary styles. Ska and Punk.
Around the age of 16, while dual enrolling at Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, FL, I decided to change my major from Computer Science to Music. While at IRCC, I studied Jazz guitar with Mack Okubo and learned theory from Dr. Dale Rieth. It is here, that I was first exposed to Jazz and fell in love with the sound. I also began listening to Yes around this time, which would come back and shape my taste in music forever.
Following my graduation from IRCC, I began attending Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. During my three years, I acquired much that has shaped me as both a player and a person now. The most important of these, I believe are the times I spent with SEU's former trumpet instructor Paul Butcher, who was my first music teacher. We studied far more than just notes in our lessons. Anyways. Back to music. I dove more and more into different styles of music and got deeper into Jazz and Prog Rock. I also was exposed to having to play fingerstyle guitar in both Jazz and Classical styles, which is now further shaping my approach to the guitar.
During my last year I was able to room with this cat named Andre Henry. To make a long story short, this guy was legendary at SEU. From the first time I saw him play, I knew there was something special about him, and I thought it would be awesome to play with him. Well, it turned out that he had just finished this new song, and was going to play it for the special in the next chapel service. I happened to be hanging around listening to him practice it in the chapel, and he said "hey, wanna play tomorrow?". Of course I said, "OK!". So, bright and early, I was up and booked it to chapel and we played. Little did I realize that would launch all of us that played that day (along with some others) into a journey that would become Dre and The Progressive Soul Orchestra.
So, right now, I'm currently in limbo waiting to move to New York City to start my career up there, both solo and as a member of the PSO. Right now I'm teaching guitar at JAM Music in Port Saint Lucie, FL. So if you want some lessons, hit me up. That is all. Have a good one!
That's cool. New York's a fun place. Wish you the best out there. I moved out to Baton Rouge to be with my fiance. Were having a baby so I just wanted to be here with her.
That's good. I'm doing pretty good right now. I haven't been gigging lately. I just finished moving a few weeks ago to Baton Rouge, so now I have to find some new gigs. I have met some musicians out here so I guess it's just a matter of time. I'm gonna start playing at a church out here starting in a couple weeks though. How about you? You playing anywhere?
Yea I feel you on that one everything is so expensive these days. I've been working on new material, trying to book shows and finding new ways to promote myself.... how is dre and the band?
