Some of this, especially the early years, may not be entirely accurate, as I am only relying on memory. I will update the info if I find facts, or remember something, or talk to people, or whatever.
I was exposed to music appreciation at an early age. My father was a fan of many types of music, mostly rock 'n'roll, but also classical, opera, & other things; but mostly rock.
In
grade-school I learned an appreciation for various instruments, strings, keys, brass, woodwinds, the list goes on & on, through my music teacher Mrs. Frizzell. She gave me my first lesson in confidence as far as singing was concerned. I was terrible, but learned anyway. She convinced me to play the trombone, which I absolutely sucked at. I could never get my mouth to act right for that instrument. Later in life I tried woodwinds, the recorder, etc; just not a wind instrument kind of guy, I guess. I do like the sound of them, though.
Junior-High, which is called Middle-School now, was when I fell in love with strings. I played the violin, but was too clumsy, so switched to the viola. I passed my classes, but was never proficient. I loved the sound & feel of the strings, though. It was amazing to be sitting in a room with an entire class playing various stringed instruments. My class schedule for the next year had a glitch, & I was mistakenly not enrolled in orchestra. I wish I could remember my orchestra teacher's name, because she rocked!
High-School was the next time I picked up a stringed instrument, & that has been a downward spiral ever since. I was walking down Main Street, & saw a guitar hanging in a barbar-shop window. I went into the shop & asked if it was for sale. The Ancient Dude who was a barber, but was talking to all the other Ancient Dudes, rather than actually cutting hair, said it was NOT for sale. It had been hanging in that window for 20 or 30 years. He could tell I really wanted it. I asked him if I could buy it. He said, "20 bucks, kid," & I gave him my life's savings for it. I was 15-17 yrs old. Didn't use it much, it was painful with heavy strings.
It was humungous, the biggest, fattest guitar I have ever seen in my life, even up to now. It had absolutely the highest action I have ever seen. It was a very old Kay with terrible tone. I wish I would have known what it was worth!! That doesn't matter, what matters is how it affected me, & the role it played in my history.
Not long after that, my step-mommie-dearest got me a Harmony Strat Electric Guitar & a cheezy belt-strap amp. She only did it so she would have something that I loved to take from me, which I used to hide under my bed & play anyway!! When I first got them, My friend, Denny Harwell, & I, walked through the snow in shorts playing guitar & singing, for a couple miles to a friend's house. We were Rebels, lol! We recorded some music together, but unfortunately those old recordings have been destroyed. His stuff was great, mine sucked. Our collaborations were just okay.
After High-School I worked with my brother,
Tom Lewis, and some friends, including
Trey Jacobs &
Tony Valasquez, with band names like
DamNagE &
Quest.
I had a problem getting my
Diploma, & had to go to summer school
after graduation, in order to get it.During that time I did some solo work that has has been lost due to theft. After a while & many adventures, I signed up for the
U.S. Army. I had to wait a while to enter service, & during those months of toiling in the heat in the construction of the 150 foot steel towers that provide your electricity over miles & miles, I recorded a few songs on that ol Kay. Those recordings are also lost, but I Revamped at least one of them later.
Army Days:
When I was in the Army, I came in contact with the members of the Original
Purgatory State, from Geronimo, or more infamously, Lawton, & later OKC-Metro Area. -- (not the stupid punk group on the internet, but the late '80s to now metal band) --
Rob Prothro, the rhythm guitarist, taught me the most influential technique in my playing style. Mike Schlumbohm gave me lyrical pointers & inspired my writing style. Russ made me wish I'd practiced more, & Jerry made me wonder why I listened to any other drummer!
This was when I really started to write & develop my Ideas.
All the exciting stuff happened after this! To be continued...
