Playing Solo

Since David "Buck" retired from performing as the first half of Buck and Nelson after our last show at Unicoi on Oct. 16, 2010, I have been saying that I am performing solo.  It has recently been in my mind that this statement is only partly true.

It is certainly true that when I perform, I am the only one that is visible on stage.  But, I find I am not truly alone.  With me as I play are all those who have influenced my music and my showmanship, some who are famous and others who may not be.  My earliest influences and people I tried my best to emulate in some small way are people like John Denver, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Earl Scruggs.  Later influences included Hot Rize,  David Holt, Norman Blake, Tony Rice, and my greatest influence over the past 30 plus years Arthel "Doc" Watson.  Over the years there have also been many people I have seen in passing, but whose artistry struck me enough to try and glean a small piece of their playing or stage presence and use in my own endeavors.  There also others who have become acquaintenances and even friends.  And I often find that even though he retired, I still carry David with me as I perform.  After more than 30 years of performing as a duo there are many parts of my show that are carried over from those years.  I am not the instrumentalist he was/is, but I am working on getting better still.  And I have to thank him for all those years of music, friendship, and performances.  His dedication to getting everything just right, have made me a better musician than I might have been otherwise.

There are others who have never been on a stage or even tried to play an instrument.  Yet they are still there with me.  Thanks to their friendship, love, and encouragement, I have continued on my quest to follow my dream of entertaining others.

Back around 1995, David and I recorded and produced a Casssette tape of our music titled "Hewed out of the Mountain".  Since that time we have talked about and promised a CD to follow that up.  We were working on that when David retired.  By the way, I am not yet sure it is actually legal to retire from music :), but I wish him the very best and am glad to know he is getting to enjoy being a grandpa to his 2 grandchildren.   At any rate, he suggested I do a CD on my own.  I am working on that right now and should have it ready early this summer.

So, when you see me performing, you can know that while I am the only one you see, I am not completely alone.  I am thankful for all the people who have been a part of my life, those who know they are and those who do not.  All the people and experiences are what has made me who I am and has got me to where I am now.  I am not finished yet and am hoping for many more years to improve and perform.  Along with that I look forward to seeing old friends, listening to people who inspire me, and to meeting new people, some who will pass quickly through my life and others who may stay a while and enrich my life with their friendship.

My music has been the constant driving force in my life for so many years now and it is something I still find much joy in.  It is something that will make me drop everything else and find a way to go play for a group, large or small.  It is like a medicine for me and I feel good after a good show, sometimes for several days.

After almost a lifetime of playing and singing, I am becoming more and more drawn to writing songs.  I have always tried to do some of that, but I find a lifetime of experiences have helped in finding words to express long held feelings, and I hope to put those in a form that others will enjoy and understand.  My plan is to record these songs as I get them in a form I like, and down the road produce another CD or some type of recording of them.

Thank you for your time in listening to/reading my thoughts.  I will see you on down the trail.  All the best to you.