STAR CANYON: Jeff Simmons, guitar; Eddie Stroud, bass; Carl Josefy, mandolin; and myself on banjo and guitar.
FESTUS: Steve Day, lead guitar, vocals; Philip Porterfield, drums,vocals; Flash, bass, guitar, vocals; Tim Tynes, lead guitar, 'Telejo' (Telecaster/electric banjo), acoustic 5 string banjo, dobro, vocals.
Influences
Not enough room to list them all!!
Banjo influences - Earl Scruggs, Alan Munde, Mike Lilly, Bela Fleck, John Hartford, JD Crowe.
Guitar influences - John Corzine, Clarence White, Tony Rice, Billy Gibbons, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Steve Day, Freddy King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Wes Montgomery, Johnny 'Red' Latham, Jim Messina.
Dobro influences - Mike Auldridge, 'Uncle Josh' Graves, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes, Andy Hall.
Just general musical influences - Merle Haggard, Marty Stuart, Lester Flatt, Jeff Simmons, Eagles, Poco...and my parents (maybe they didn't play much, but they sure put up with a lot!)...I could go on and on...
Sounds Like
A little bit of everything...with my own slant.
Bluegrass...mixed with a little blues...a country heart...some emotion...a little attitude...no, a lot of attitude...some slide guitar...a little 'hat-atude', and a lot of fun.
Maybe you can call it a little musical GUMBO?
Texas musician...plays banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro, slide guitar, bass, vocals...
Priority one - enjoying myself playing good music!
In addition...Bluegrass/Americana/Texas/Country/Blues/classic rock...and all points in between!
I have played the last 10 years in Star Canyon. Star Canyon is a traditional Bluegrass band that combines strong vocals, harmony, good picking AND entertainment. The band plays all over Texas and occasionally meanders in to Oklahoma for a good time! Jeff Simmons has fronted this band for over 20 years. Jeff brings literally decades of music and entertaining to the stage. He had a brief career in country music in the late 1950's and early 1960's. He toured on a number of Grand Ole Opry package shows, recorded with Reno and Smiley, and handled the MC duties at the Old Dominion Barndance for a number of years. He stepped out of the limelight to devote his attention to his family and later came back to play bluegrass. This boy has forgotten more music that I will ever know!!!
In the last 15 years, I have been spotted with a banjo in Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama and in Georgia, namely Savannah. Oh yeah, Savannah is the home of my bride.
Since Fall 2007, I have joined ranks with Steve Day and other members of our 1970's country rock band, FESTUS. We got together to do a little reunion and had so much fun...and it sounded good. We have formally regrouped. So, we prepare Festus to ride again! Keep an eye out for new gigs with the old band from that Little Ol' Band from Everman!
Also, there are reports of a similar likeness of myself floating in the West Indies with a Little Martin guitar strapped to his back. He has gotten notorious in taking pictures of empty beer bottles and annoying his red head!
Other bands that I have served time in are as follow: Festus (high school daze of late 1970's). Matt Melton and County Seat, 1994 - 2000. Matt's band was the first true bluegrass band that I played in. I truly learned so much great bluegrass from him.
As for music, I enjoy good, basic, feel good music - whether it be bluegrass, blues, jazz, country, rock.
I can be seen at many north central bluegrass events or at the occasional bluegrass jam.
I enjoy all types of banjos, Martin guitars and Fender Telecasters!
When I am not picking, I enjoy being with my family, being with friends, bird hunting and being outdoors, especially during the fall.
You all take it easy now, ya hear?
Wrapped Up In Me is #42 on the New Music Weekly Country Main Chart!!!! I am also #21 on the top 30 Indie Chart this week!!! It is on radio stations across the nation, you can request it now!!!!! Love ~Susan www.susanhickman.com
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
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