The Life of Thom

I began to wear clothes and developed an interest in girls (both events happened when I was around 14).

Saw Elvis on tv.
Saw the Beatles on tv.
Watched "Hootenanny" and "Shindig", watched the Porter Wagoner Show and Flatt and Scruggs.

One messed up kid.

Went to all-night gospels sings with my Dad, who figured since I was already there he might as well let me stay up.

Learned to play the guitar. Played with gusto and enthusiasm, and another kid from the neighborhood, until I met Big Jim in college, who was posing as a student at the time. He took the time to show me some bass runs and other notes of note, and we tore through the learning curve.

Through Jim, met Mark and Darrell, and slowly we became Chicken Hot Rod. Seems strange now that it seemed strange then, but we've been friends for 38 years, ain't that something? So glad to be making music with my friends after all this time.

Living in Nashville now, where the atmosphere is great for growing new songs. Still picking and grinning, heavy on the grin.

It's really tough to be considered the best rhythm guitarist and singer in Bluegrass music, puts a lot of pressure on a person.

Know what I mean?