By 18, my own band, THE HIGH SOCIETY, was working the Hullabaloo circuit, doing R&R revival shows with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Bobby Lewis, Bobby Sherman, and THE OHIO EXPRESS. During this time, I made valuable contacts at NBC, ATLANTIC RECORDS, and their affiliates.
After a stint in the Army, I wound up on the West Coast with THE HOMETOWN BLUES, touring with Sam Cooke's nephew, R.B. GREAVES ('take a letter,maria') and sharing stages (and sometimes motels) with a then-unknown Robert Cray, and a powerhouse group from Georgia, MOTHER'S FINEST. The rest of the 70's and 80's was spent, pretty much, on the road, touring the continent (North America) and the Pacific USO circuit (Guam, Wake Island, etc.). During this time, I worked shows with: the Ink Spots; Carlos Santana & Tito Puente; B.J. Thomas; Hadley Calliman; the Drifters; the Allman Bros.; Sonny Stitt & Red Holloway; the Fabulous Platters; Sandy Gennero (Pat Travers); and, Vinnie Martell (vanilla Fudge).
Got off the road, came to Florida and, almost immediately, met Dan 'Lang' (Langarino), who had worked with Artie Shaw, Julie London, and, more recently, Doc Severenson. Together with Fats Domino's old studio drummer, we put a Sunday Jam together. The old jazz musicians came out of the woodwork. I was honored to be performing with these cats, the youngest of which was almost 20 years older than me. This jam eventually gave birth to The CITRUS JAZZ SOCIETY, and I had the pleasure of playing with David O'Rourke (Hank Mancini,The Pink Panther Theme), and Joe Silvestri (Mel Torme's ex-drummer).
In the early 90's, while still performing musically, I work behind the scenes as Production Manager for local shows including: SPIRIT; The ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION; MOLLY HATCHET; RICK ROBERTS (Firefall); The Legendary KITTY WELLS; T.G. SHEPARD; The OUTLAWS; and, Loretta Lynn's daughter, CISSY LYNN and the Coal Miners.
Since then, I've been steady playin' with my own groups, The Wallace Hartley Band, then, The Accelerators, and now, NO LIMIT. These groups have opened for RICK DERRINGER, BUDDY GUY, PINETOP PERKINS, HUBERT SUMLIN, LUTHER ALLISON,JR., the DRIFTERS, and the PLATTERS.
Nearly all of the above was a result of learning my craft AND being in the right place at the right time. However, over the years, I've managed to become a certified luthier, an authorized FENDER and GIBSON repairman, and a qualified audio technician....just in case I needed something to fall back on.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Love & Peace to all !!!
................................................................RoadDawg
