ChristianMusicDaily

On how the band met

***Joel and I met through playing music together several years back. We played on some gigs together and had many mutual friends. I met Rich and Mark on our first gig. I gave Joel a ride to the gig and had my guitar and amp in the car. He asked me if I'd like to sit in for a set. There were handshakes and hellos to Rich and Mark and then we started playing. It was evident from the start that we'd come across something special.***

On style

***I would say our band's style is very unique because we're not necessarily uniform in our dress. The way we dress is similar to how we are as musicians and guys. We all have our own style and when that comes together it makes up NewWorldSon. There was no meeting about image, or look for the band-- we all just wear what we would wear and there's something that works about it.***

On singing with Joel

***I don't know what my vocal range is-- I'm pretty sure it's tenor though. I haven't really had any formal vocal training. I've learned a lot about technique and singing in general from Joel.  I find that singing is one of the most sincere and ethereal ways to worship. I'm often surprised with notes I can hit, or things that I can come up with vocally when we're playing.***

On singing chemistry

***Joel and I have a special chemistry when we're singing together. The timbres of our voices and our different styles seem to compliment each other well. We try not to work out our vocal arrangements too tightly. By leaving this space to move there's more room for us to follow how the Spirit leads when we're playing.***

On other jobs he’s had

***I've mostly played music, but I've taught guitar, worked in a music store, loaded trucks in warehouses, and done whatever else I've needed to do to get by the dry spells.***

On his musical influences

***My main musical influences? Not an easy one to answer briefly. I love everything that Stax Records put out, as well as Motown Records in the 1960s. I also like a lot of Jamaican music from the 60s to the present. Some big influences are The Staple Singers, Donny Hathaway, Duke Ellington, Peter Tosh, The Beatles, Woody Guthrie and Smokey Robinson.***

On the guitars he plays

***I play different types of Fender guitars. I have a re-issue '63 Jazzmaster that is the main instrument I play on our records and live shows. It's a big part of my sound.***