12/02 - Griff's Show w/ steel master Ricky Davis and Merle Haggard's guitar player, the great Redd Volkaert. Ricky and Redd played this huge show after recording on my CD "Mr. Honkytonk".  These are two of my favorite people on this planet. 

5/03 - Steel guitar legend Buddy Charleton played my special guest Saturday show, a historic night, and one to tell the grandkids about...from back left to right - Joe Cribbin (acoustic rhythum guitar), Paul Vendemmia (pedal steel guitar), Bob Spates (Mr. fiddle), Patty Dougherty (the queen of honkytonk drums), Fido Mann (the bass mann).  From front left to right - Ira Gitlin (lead guitar), Buddy Charleton, 'ol me

...a night to remember sittin' in with Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun.  Catch them at the Sunset Grill on Thursday nights, in Annandale VA. dang near every week...mighty fine.  from l to r   Joe Cribbin, me, grammy nominee and legend Bill Kirchen, Jack O'Dell, and Johnny Castle

Me and 'ol buddy Dale Watson, after a few duets and more than a few beers in Austin TX. at the famous Ginny's Little Longhorn. 

The great Billy Dee.  Billy played bass for Dale Watson, Vern Gosdin, Johnny Paycheck and recently released a great CD of his own called "Heart Don't Fail Me Now".  He is a tremendous writer and singer and will be doing a few songs on my next project.  Go see this man when you get to Texas!

After doing a few songs with the band I got the pleasure of being introduced to Don and Ginny who own Ginny's Little Longhorn in Austin.  Don, sadly, has since passed away, but Ginny's still goes strong in his memory.  I felt quite honored when Don told me to come back anytime and "do more of those Waylon Jennings songs".  They built an institution in Texas no doubt.

I became familiar with the great Chris Wall's music several years back on a trip to Austin.  He is another great writer and true honky tonker who has paid his dues in the roadhouses and beer joints and is also tired of hearing the words "Free Bird" and "Skynard".  He is still the master of the perfect sip....long story.  Go see Chris when in Austin.  Oh, and that Broken Spoke sign over my shoulder indicates you have reached honky tonk heaven in Texas.

In studio, I get so tired of having to show people what to do...;)..HA   I don't think I've ever had so much fun then recording with Ricky Davis and Redd Volkaert...as you can tell...not bad actors huh?

In my slightly biased opinion, Redd Volkaert is the best country guitarist in the world, apparently Merle Haggard agreed with me when he hired him for his gig.  Redd is also an incredible singer, and he shared billing on Lefty's Gone, Gone, Gone with Bill Kirchen and myself on vocals.  He is also one of the best human beings I have ever had the pleasure to be around.  We need more of these Redd people.

Ruthie Logsdon and I recorded the old Conway and Loretta Lynn song "After the Fire is Gone" on my CD.  We had a blast, and I think the world of her personally and professionally. 

The legendary Chick Hall Jr.  Chick has played with me on many gigs over the last few years and is considered by many to be one of the top guitarists in the country.  Also, look for his dizzying array of licks on my upcoming CD. 

When the king of dieselbilly, Bill Kirchen, came out to do a few cuts on my project it was a surreal experience.  The first memory I ever had of any song was hearing  Commander Cody's version of "Hot Rod Lincoln" on an 8 track player, while strangely enough, riding in my step dad's '73 Lincoln.  That famous riff of course was written by Bill and it became a smash hit.  When I wrote my truckin' song "Toll Booth Betty" it was my tribute to Bill.  So to have him on the recording with me was really something.  Bill is a pioneer and a true original, and I'm proud to call him a friend.

I want to send out a big thank you to my friend Warren Haynes.  Many years ago when I first started in music, he gave me great advice about things to do and not to do, and he let me hang with him in the world of the Allman Brothers Band and Govt. Mule.  Rolling Stone magazine just ranked him as the 23rd greatest guitar player of all time.  He's a big time star now, but still as down to earth and unassuming a guy as you'd ever want to meet.

When Allen Woody passed away in 2000 it was a hard blow.  Allen played with the Allman Brothers for many years and then later was a founding member of Govt Mule.  Allen had been another person who I was blessed to spend a lot of time with in the early days.  I have never met a person with a bigger personality, sense of humor, and heart to boot.  Oh, and just so happens that he was the best god damn bass player to ever live.  In short he is one of the main reasons I'm doing music today, ask me why sometime ..I love talkin' about him.  God's speed buddy, and thanks.