Favorite Music

It’s a moment in every show. At some point, you get to connect with a person, a group, a family, some human force that wants to have a discussion mid-set. You don’t expect it, you' don’t count on it. It just happens. You’re 20 songs in, things are going fine and you land on a song that someone looks up to watch.

For me, it’s like hitting the lottery. Taking requests is different from guessing what you want to here. Reading a room so totally that you conjure the tune needed. I never know and I’m always surprised. Is it the beer? Man probably, but it feels great.

The back/forth usually starts or ends with “What’s your favorite thing to play?”

The answer is typically “Whatever you want to hear!”
This is true, I’m there to support your good time. Favorite thing.

I definitely have influences and bands and genres that happen a lot easier than others. Modern country (90-2020’s) is most accessible for me vocally. 90’s-2010’s alt-rock is a close second.

Chris Stapleton

I was a steeldrivers fan so Chris’s solo career was exciting. Give me Joy of My Life, keep Tennessee Whiskey.

Crosby, Stills, Nash (Not Young)

Love the One You’re With and Southern Cross remain core memories and I love them both equally.

Randy Travis

Three Wooden Crosses isn’t a barn burner, but it’s objectively the best country music song of all time.
Fight me. It doesn’t come out in shows a lot, but if you request it, I’m on it. I live for Forever and Ever, Amen.

Luke Combs

Luke’s got pipes. I love all of his tunes, his vocal abilities are not human. I throw 4-5 of his most memorable’s at each show depending on the room.

Tyler Childers

Tyler’s catalog prior to 2021 was unbeatable. I’ve done the entire Red Barn Radio set a few times, live. No skips, all hits.

1996 Dave Matthews Sweet Briar College Show

The starting inspiration for whatever my sound may be, started with percussion and the pursuit of simplifying sounds. The Sweet Briar College show Dave Matthews did alone back in 1996 was definitely an influence.

No pedals. No looping. No frills. Just the reiterative “shush” at the start of each song.