Whiskey Basin

Vital Stats

Age: 24.
Instruments: Lead vocals, guitar, mandolin.
Band: Whiskey Basin.
Day job: I also work for bowlingball.com.
Hometown: Orange City.
Current residence: Orange City.

Type of music you perform: Country, Southern rock, bluegrass.

Repertoire sampler: Originals -- "Blame It on Boston," "Wasting My Breath," "Plans We Made," "Invisible to You," "Scarlet Sunrise." Covers -- "Devil Went Down to Georgia," "Folsom Prison Blues," "In Color."

Upcoming area gigs: "Athens Rocks Woodstock" with Whiskey Basin, Dish and other bands and artists, 1-11 p.m. Aug. 15, Athens Theatre, 124. N. Florida Ave., DeLand. $20 advance, $25 day of show. 386-736-7456. 9 p.m. Aug. 28-29, Rockin' Ranch, 801 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach. 386-673-0904.

CDs: "Seven Sundays." $10. You can purchase them at whiskeybasin.com and also at shows.

Web sites: whiskeybasin.com, facebook.com/whiskeybasin, myspace.com/whiskeybasin.
Taking Notes

Who or what inspired you to take up music?

My dad was my biggest inspiration. He was a gospel singer when I was younger. Also, Randy Travis is the one who really made me want to be a singer.

You studied commercial music at Belmont University in Nashville. While in Music City, did you learn more in the classroom or in the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway?

I would say it is equal. I learned a lot, theory-wise, in school. But at times it seemed to be a fairytale, where people thought the music industry was some magical thing that can't hurt you. Well, the honky-tonks bring you back to reality. You've got to get in the trenches and really work for it. The music industry can be very mean, but if you fight back, I think you can get the upper hand.

What was the most unusual or memorable gig you've ever played?

We had one weekend (Bike Week, maybe?) where we played Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we got home at about 4 a.m. and had a show for a bike rally that started at 8 a.m. on Sunday. It was hard, but it ended up being one of the most enjoyable gigs we've ever done.

What musician/celebrity/historical person would you most like to have dinner with?

This is a tough choice between Morgan Freeman and Bono. But I'll go with Bono. It'd be cool to hang out with the leader of the biggest band in the world (and my favorite)!

What was the last book you read?

"Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain (for about the 20th time!).

What CD/tape/music is in your car/home stereo/iPod right now?

Either Brad Paisley's "American Saturday Night," U2's "No Line on the Horizon" or Blue Highway's "Through the Window of a Train." I keep those in constant rotation.

What is your favorite movie?

"The Shawshank Redemption." "Lost in Translation" is a close second.

What was the best concert you ever attended?

Palatka Bluegrass Festival a while back. All of my favorite bluegrass artists were there. It really brought me back to my roots. Bluegrass is the world's greatest music.

"If I didn't play music, I would .. ":

Be a music historian. Ha! Or a chef.

"I'd sell my soul for ...":

The ability to play guitar like Monte Montgomery or Brad Paisley! - Daytona Beach News Journal

Vital Stats
Age: 29.

Instruments: Vocals, guitar, bass, piano.

Band: Whiskey Basin.

Day job: Web and database technician.

Hometown: Okeechobee.

Current residence: South Daytona.

Type of music you perform: Rock, country, metal.

Repertoire sampler: "Medicine" (an original song I wrote), a bunch of Whiskey Basin originals --"Blame It on Boston," "Invisible to You," "Plans We Made." Also Brad Paisley's "The World," Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold," Keith Urban's "Better Life."

Upcoming area gigs: 9 p.m. Sept. 12, Boot Hill Saloon, 310 Main St., Daytona Beach.
9 p.m. Sept. 18, Airport Bar, 1120 Flight Line Blvd., Deland.

CDs: Whiskey Basin, "Seven Sundays" -- $11.99 at whiskeybasin.com and at shows.
Web site: Whiskey Basin Official Site www.whiskeybasin.com


Taking Notes
Who or what inspired you to take up music?
Grandma sat me in front of Lawrence Welk's big band TV show when I was 2! Later on I was very, VERY metal when I first started getting into playing (Metallica, Megadeth, Yngwie, etc.). Over time I evolved into several different styles, including country and guys like Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley with the influence of my friends, Dustin and Greg Seymour (our singer and sound man).

What was the most unusual or memorable gig you've ever played?
One of the funniest moments was at the Rockin' Ranch (in Ormond Beach) when a female fan decided to get a little frisky and grab my, er.. . EQUIPMENT. Never saw it coming. She was right behind me. I had my guitar slide in my hand, and as it was happening, the slide went up the neck of my guitar making this "whoa-wooo" sound. Absolutely hysterical. The video's on our Web site!

What musician/celebrity/historical person would you most like to have dinner with?
I'd like to sit down to supper with Jerry Reed, Jerry Garcia and Joe Satriani.
What was the last book you read?

"The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. The "Law of Attraction" works, and forget what you might have heard. It absolutely does NOT go against anyone's religion. It's powerful in a good way.
What CD/tape/music is in your car/home stereo/iPod right now?

Ooh, a mixed bag: Whiskey Basin, Steve Vai, Brad Paisley, Slipknot, Disturbed, Keith Urban, Megadeth, a little Zappa, and I'm sure there's an audio book or two in there somewhere.

What is your favorite movie?
Right now it's a tossup between "300" and "The Spirit." I love Frank Miller's Hollywood stuff.

What was the best concert you ever attended?
We play almost every weekend, so the last concert I went to was Stone Sour, Flyleaf and Disturbed a few years ago. Those bands are all amazing in their own right, but on the flip side, I'm looking forward to Brad Paisley or Keith Urban coming to town soon.
"If I didn't play music, I would...":
Be working waaaay too much.
"I'd sell my soul for...":

Ultimate cosmic power. Really, what else is worth your soul?
It's what gives your life, your love and your music character. - Daytona Beach News Journal