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1. How did your musical career begin?
My musical career began with piano lessons at age 6. My grandfather played gospel piano for years and he was a big influence. However, he could only read shape notes. I quickly outstripped him in being able to read music...but I could never play gospel piano like he could. I started beginner band in the 7th grade. I walked into beginning band the first day of my seventh grade year to find Roland Lister sitting there with a brand new trombone on his lap. Someone (maybe me, but I don't really remember) asked him whose it was and he told us it belonged to me! I didn't even know I was going to play trombone. My mother had gotten it because it was the cheapest to rent at the time! I started playing trombone in local churches when I was in high school and arranged my first "charts" for those venues. Mostly brass ensemble type works. I arranged my first full size band work during the summer of my senior year and had it played by Deleath Rives and a community band playing for a bicentennial celebration during that summer. I attended Jacksonville State University and studied trombone under Jim Roberts and composition under David Walters. I continued my studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I studied trombone under Vern Forbes and composition with Dennis Lovenfloss and Robert Beadell.
2. Who are your primary musical influences?
Wow...my musical influences vary from my Grandfathers gospel style of piano playing, through David Walters and Bob Beadells jazz influenced style of arranging and composition, through William Schuman, Fred Grofe, Aaron Copeland and Charles Ives. And Leroy Anderson. Varied influences I admit.
3. What do you like to listen to when you aren't composing?
I listen to soundtracks...right now I have the music to "The Incredibles" in my CD player in my car. I have also gotten into podcasts. One of my favorites is Brasscast featuring music in the British Brass Band style. I'll also listen to most anything. My car (I spend most of my time there.) will have anything from Nora Jones to the Canadian Brass to inexpensive discs of Rossini Overtures. I've recently made a concerted effort to collect and digitize older "Trombones Inc." and "Four Freshmen" LPs for use in the car. Obviously, I can't really decide what to listen to.
4. What are your hobbies outside of music?
I love to play golf, I haven't had a chance to play in years, but I love it. I play softball every summer and I help with my sons little league baseball team. I also like computers and the like. I also love to go to Disney World. We always go there a couple times a year. We love it there.
5. What has been your greatest opportunity provided to you because of your musical talent?
Having my music played by world class ensembles. Music is meant to be played and enjoyed. Having my works performed in such storied locales as Carnegie Hall is great. I've also played in the back-up orchestra for Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick. That was fun. Not very impressive, I admit, but I keep plugging away.
6. What are your favorite movies or television shows?
TV: CSI...hands down. Movies, most anything Science Fiction, adventures, mysteries and comedies (not really into chick flicks.) I also really like most Disney movies especially the Pixar movies. Good stuff.
7. You can have dinner with any four people, living or dead. Who would they be?
Tough. Mozart, Stephan Hawking, Nicolai Tesla, Paul W. Bryant. (That's a crew!)
8. What would you like your legacy as a composer to be?
I would like to be remembered as a musician who composes. Anyone can compose, but to write musically...that's what I want to be remembered as
9. Who is your favorite historical figure?
I find Nicolai Tesla infinitely fascinating. For such a genius (who was deathly afraid of pearls!) to have died broke from fighting the world over his inventions. He invented AC power! (Thomas Edison was pushing DC power...what a battle royale that was! And throw in George Westinghouse in the mix and you have a lot!) He also invented some really strange devices that to this day can't be explained! Including an earthquake generator!
10. Describe yourself in four words.
Dad...Husband...Musician...Book Addict (ok...the last one is 2 words, but bibliophile doesn't really describe what I do...I will read anything.)
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