tjkokomo

SEEKING

Band to Join, Bass Guitar, Drums, Lead Guitar, Steel guitar.

ABOUT

I grew up out in the the middle of nowhere, Indiana miles from the nearest town. Thankfully we had a bunch of musical instruments in our house. I was drawn to piano and guitar and soon I was picking out the songs by ear. I would practice for hours and figure out what the chords were and fake my way through the songs.

In high school I had a great music history and theory teacher who encouraged me to keep playing. She would let me into the music room during lunch to play piano. I used to love to go in there and just play for a half hour or so in the middle of the day.

Meanwhile, I was also playing guitar with some high school buddies in a very loud band. We played a few shows a year at youth groups, summer camps, church picnics, and other special events.

In college I played guitar and keyboards and fronted a couple of different rock bands. We played in the frats and bars to very little acclaim.

After college I took a break from playing in bands. I got married and had a couple of kids. I started a business in 1999 and sold it in 2009. I had always taught friends and neighbors to play guitar as a hobby. Eventually my list of students grew to the point where my waiting list was longer than my student list. So now I teach full time and play in a few different bands. I usually play about 60 - 75 shows per year. I love to play. I am grateful for every opportunity.

It is tough sometimes to balance work, having time with my wife and kids, and playing every weekend. My wife is the only reason that I am able to keep playing. She is very supportive, although I feel bad about all the time she is stuck at home. I truly appreciate everything she does for me.

Screen name:: tjkokomo
Member since:: Dec 27 2008; Active within 1 week
Level of commitment:: Very Committed
Years playing music:: 25
Gigs played:: Over 100
Available to gig:: 6-7 nights a week

Influences

influences:
Keyboard:
I love Chuck Leavell. Chuck has played with The Stones, The Allman Brothers, Clapton (he played on Unplugged ), The Black Crowes, Blues Traveler and many more. Just listen to the piano solo on Jessica by The Allman Brothers.

I also love Billy Powel from Lynyrd Skynyrd. His style adds so much to that southern rock sound, I think that's what set them apart from other guitar heavy bands.

I have recently been learning more about the legendary Floyd Cramer. His "slip note" style has always been a natural part of the way I play. His influence has been so broad that now as I go back and listen closer, I can hear where many other players got their style. The most well known of his many, many recordings are "Last Date" and Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel". Mr Cramer died on New Years Eve in 1997.

I love to hear a good B-3 sound, or a Rhodes with just a touch of overdrive, or a Wurlitzer electric piano with a tremolo, but my favorite is a real grand piano. I am not much for synthesizer sounds or anything too electronic sounding, although that stuff does have it's place.

Guitar:
Stevie Ray Vaughn: SRV got me started on a long time love of the blues.

Brent Mason: I can't play half of what he does, but I love it!

Keith Richards: King of the riff!

Classic Rock, Jazz, Acoustic guys too.

Bass:

Michael Rhodes: THE Nashville session player. He NEVER over plays.