steelman80

I play steel guitar and have since I was 17. I love music - all kinds - but my roots have always been in traditional and classic country music. I am originally from Taylor Ridge, IL, but my family roots have always been in Missouri. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), I started my first career job at Caterpillar, Inc in Peoria, IL, designing electrical systems for their bulldozers. I married my wife in July 2004 and soon after took a new job with General Electric and moved to Grain Valley, MO to be closer to family.

Some of my steel guitar style influences include:
Paul Franklin, Buddy Emmons, Doug Jernigan, Steve Palousek, Bruce Bouton, Jimmy Day, John Hughey, Jimmy Crawford, Ralph Mooney, Tommy White, Hal Rugg

Some long-time musical influences of mine include:
Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels Band, Waylon Jennings, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Ronnie Milsap, Wesley Dennis, and any other honky-tonk sound.

Some recent musical influences of mine include:
Jason Boland, Dale Watson, Jackson Taylor Band, Cross Canadian Ragween, Randy Rogers Band, The Roadhammers, Drive-By Truckers, Reckless Kelly

My Setup:
I play a Sierra D-10 (I actually only play the E9th neck for now) through a Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Peavey TubeFex effects processor, QSC RMX850 amplifier, and two Fred Justice JSC-15 cabinets loaded with Peavey 15" Black Widows.

My family and steel guitar have been two of the only constants in my life. My love and desire for playing steel guitar has brought me to where I am today, playing steel guitar for the Trip Hazard Band. Check us out at myspace.com/thetriphazardband or at triphazardband.com.