Who I Am – Musician

More in my series on who I am. This time it’s pieces of my former life as a musician.

I worked as a drummer for 20 years and although I failed to reach my ultimate goals, I played in almost every state and several countries, worked TV/radio jingles, records and live shows and even won two awards (see below). I lived the life of a working musician and it was a dream come true.

I banged on everything I could from the time I walked and got my first set of drums when I was five. There was never anything else I did as well and never a question about whether I would pursue music as a career. It didn’t hurt that both my parents were musicians – trained music teachers in fact – and I took advantage of every opportunity to practice and play.

I attended the University of North Texas to put myself against the best in the country and graduated with a Bachelors in Jazz Performance in 1984. After a couple of years playing in top-40 bands in Dallas, my wife and I moved to Nashville when I got the gig with Russ Taff in 1986. This led to a long series of country, rock and christian gigs which kept me on and off the road for nearly all my career.

In the early 90’s while playing with the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, I had the opportunity to join a band called Twang Town. Lead by two successful writers, they were on the verge of being signed to Sony/Epic. I jumped at the chance to join this band that had amazing songs, killer players and a rock-n-roll attitude. A band that later became The Gibson/Miller band.

I say that The Gibson/Miller Band was an “almost famous” act. We had numorous top 20 songs, but never cracked the top 10. We toured all over, but never headlined arenas (opened for lots of acts though). What we DID do though was establish a loyal following of people who wanted rock-n-roll country about 2 years before it really took off. This led to our winning the 1994 Academy of Country Music New Group of the Year award – a crowning achievement for the band and myself.

Recording:

• Out of the Grey – Out of the Grey
• Gibson/Miller Band – Where There’s Smoke
• Gibson/Miller Band – Red, White and Blue Collar
• Kick In The Asphalt Band – No Bull
• Blue Miller – Blue
• John Cox – Sunny Day
• Eli – And Now The News
• India Arie – Acoustic Soul
• India Arie – Voyage to India

Awards:

• 1993 Academy Of Country Music New
• Group Of The Year — Gibson/Miller Band
• 2001 – 7 Grammy Award Nominations for
• India Arie’s Acoustic Soul
• 2002 Grammy Award Winner – Best
• Urban Contemporary Album for India
• Arie’s Voyage to India

Touring:

• Russ Taff
• Kim Boyce
• Paul Smith
• Cody
• Sweethearts of the Rodeo
• Gibson/Miller Band
• Kick In The Asphalt Band
• Trisha Yearwood (for about 5 minutes…)
• Sisters Wade
• Charlie McClain
• Shelby Lynne