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a.k.a “A-Train” I was born in Fairbanks Alaska although most of my family is from the south east. I am from a very large musical family; everyone either sings or plays many instruments or both, my home was full of all genres growing up; everything from gospel, rock, country to pop to classical to my music, METAL. I was given my first Bass guitar in 2nd grade; a “Crown Jazz Pro” and my first guitar in the 3rd grade; a 65 “Fender Mustang” my grandfather’s guitar; I still have the mustang, I also played trumpet in grade school band the drums in junior high band and the cello in high school marching band, I'm joking about the cello. My first time playing a song was while in the 3rd grade; my cousin Maverick Gibson showed me a song and said “play this or I’ll punch you” it wasn’t that he would have punched me he just wanted someone to play it so he could practice his leads and that was how the Mustang was handed down to me. Maverick showed me how it felt to become the music and to put the emotion at that time through the sound and I have not stopped playing with that in mind sense; it set the tone for me, and I pour all of the good and the shit out of me into my guitar when I write a song and when I play; it is not a bad thing, but more of what I am. All of my biggest influences have been my family; from grandpa my dad and uncles to my cousins. There have been many successes in my family mostly in Gospel and Country although my cousin TOMMY BOLIN was a major influence from the late 60’s and 70's till he died in 1976; He over dose of whisky and sleeping pills; he just didn’t wake up. He played with the rock bands “The James Gang” “Deep Purple” the progressive bands “Zephyr” “Moxy” and his solo albums set standards and influenced many bands and guitar players to this day. Maverick Gibson was the mind behind the rock bands “Ground Zero” and “Sinister Minister” till he died in 1995 in a car crash, they are both what I try to be and write and play like; Try is the key word. I have been fortunate to have been given what I have in this world of dumb shits and morons; A high IQ and a twisted mind; some understand me and others will never, and that is ok. Genius by birth Slacker by choice; and music is the most primal and amazing thing we all have in common and it is my life; it consumes me, it interrupts my sleep and it piss’s me off but it takes me to other places. It heals me and makes me forget the sadness that we have in this world at least for a moment. Although I have been in a hundred bands; RAGG is home, and the love of my life “Noodles” is in the band so no fights about “going to band practice” just other things.Peace and Respect, A-Train....http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseact ion=viewImage&friendID=382357265&albumID=158551& imageID=15418568