Since I was 5 years old. Growing up on a farm, I had 11 brothers and sisters. Music was our past time. We had two gospel quartets and one duet in the family.
What was the first concert you ever went to?
In the early 50's my family's Baby Barnes Quartet was part of a gospel concert in South Carolina. Back then, everyone sang through 1 microphone. All my sisters I sang with, were taller than me. I remember Minnie Pearl lifting me up on a stool so I could reach the microphone.
What gear do you use?
Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
What are you looking for from Fandalism?
Feedback on my music by other musicians and the general public.
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
To list just a few---Elvis, Hank Williams Sr., Don Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, Bill Monroe, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Platters and many more. All are or have been great musicians in their own right. I love the variety.
Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?
I've played numerous shows in many bands. Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Blues etc..Presently, I'm off the road writing and recording.
If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?
Jamming should be fun. To name a few. Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Hank Williams Jr., Little Richard, Lester and Flatt, Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Dean Brooks, Keith Brooks and Many others.
What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?
Can't say how many was watching when performing on television. In person, 20,000 plus. My smallest and most memorable performance was being payed for a bluegrass show at a fairgrounds in North Carolina. Two people showed up and about 300 milk cows. We didn't know it at the time, but the owner of the milk cows had been told if the cows heard bluegrass music, they would give more milk. It made no difference to me, the pay was $1,500.00 for a 1 and 1/2 hour show and I needed the money. As for the cows giving more milk, I never found out.
You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?
The Platters. Listened to them for many years. Their music is soothing, great harmony and I can relate to all of their works. Hopefully, I would have a mate on the Island. Listening to The Platters and being with a beautiful woman on a deserted island would be the ultimate.