Quote

In my 30s, I became more open to music other than country or bluegrass.

I became a professional musician and played all kinds of music. I played bluegrass, I played classical music, and for many years, I played jazz.

A significant event for me was learning Hank Williams, reconnecting with his music's simplicity, which inspired me to inhabit the same territory. It's different, because I grew up on Led Zeppelin, The Stooges and punk, so in that sense I'm mutating country and folk more than a few degrees.

I knew I loved playing bluegrass, so I'd end up down there on Sunday nights at the bluegrass jam.

I love bluegrass music, I love acoustic music, and I try at the right times to push that a little bit.

Folk rock was my real roots. I did a few gigs as a folk artist, in the style of Fairport Convention.

I went to Appalachian State University, which was very bluegrass- and folk-oriented.

I base my roots and history in old blues, old country and old bluegrass, and I like rock 'n' roll, and somehow it all came together, and that is what I am playing now.

The local music community here was dying for a place to record, so we started doing acoustic, folk and bluegrass and then did rock projects for other bands, as well as for my son Tal and my own work.

I was reared on folk music.