About Me
I was born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1948 and later my family moved to South Bend, Indiana where I spent a number of years. As a child I grew up playing the trumpet, piano and the guitar. Eventually, I settled in a love affair with the guitar building my skills with slide, acoustic and electric guitar.In the 60's I packed up and went to California in search of stardom. I joined Steppenwolf, replacing Michael Monarch on lead guitar in 1969.I was with Steppenwolf from 1969 through 1972. My song credits include "Hey Lawdy Mama", "Who Needs Ya", "Renegade", "Draft Resister", "Ball Crusher", "Fat Jack", "Fag", Foggy Mental Breakdown", "Earschplittenloudenboomer", "Suicide" and "Hippo Stomp" featured on the albums, "Monster, Steppenwolf Live and Steppenwolf 7.In the years following Steppenwolf and my band Ratchell, I worked in Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording in the studios there for several years, then moved back out to Los Angeles creating soundtracks for movies. Then, while working on a project with a friend of mine, he described the music action taking place in Nashville and I decided to move there and get involved.During my time in Nashville I worked with music greats, logging thousands of music recording credits and earned a place on the "A List" as a session guitarist and songwriter roster. Also during my years in Nashville, I was honored to be invited on tour with great performers such as Neil Young, Steve Winwood and Peter Frampton.Further, I was awarded BMI's writing, "Citation of Achievement" for the Tanya Tucker song, "Feel Right" and included as a "Music Achiever", with the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Wikipedia has recognized me as a "Distinguised Alabamian" and AL.com as a "Famous Alabamian".
Now I am living in MUSCLE SHOALS, ALABAMA and working into the next phase of my music career of finding and producing artists from this hotbed of talent this area is known for. IN ADDITION, I HAVE JUST BEEN AWARDED the prestigious "STUDIO MUSICIAN'S AWARD" for acknowledgement of my success as a studio musician from the ALABAMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME. I am honored to be chosen for such an award.
