Laid Back Country Picker

Laid Back Country Picker

The night Laid Back’s high school classmates went on their senior trip, he played his first professional bar gig. It was not his first show, as he had played bass in local bluegrass bands, but it opened the door to smoky bars and honky-tonk survival. Over the years he went on to perform and record with many well-known artists, often uncredited, as was the Nashville way.

He has played with everyone from the Georgia Satellites to the Kentucky Headhunters. Opening for Thin Lizzy and The Guess Who, recording at Johnny Cash’s studio as well as the now defunct Butcher Shoppe in Nashville (owned by John Prince and Sturgill Simpson) Laid Back has seen some things. LB served as a mentor to a young Tyler Childers, who now has Laid Back signed on his Hickman Holler label. Mr. Childers has made several films with LB and included him in his music videos, as well as having him open a CD release show in New York City and open his sets at the Ryman Auditorium and Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Over the years, Laid Back has honed his craft and played simply for the love of the music. His no rules approach to musical performance flies in the face of those who prefer their music to fit neatly into a category. Equal parts Led Zeppelin, Waylon Jennings, Stanley Brothers, David Bowie and Motorhead, and that’s just the beginning. Laid Back is a product of the 1970s, when lines were often blurred. He doesn’t care what you call it, he just wants you to feel it. Attentive to the audience and ready for conversation, a Laid Back show is an interactive lesson on music, pop culture and whatever else is on his mind that day.

Whether he is playing with his full band or grinding out heavy guitar riffs with his companion Honey on drums in the White Stripes inspired duo, you leave the concert knowing you have seen a show. There will be a meet and greet and Laid Back will stand and talk until everyone is satisfied. Because it’s not just about playing songs to an audience, it’s about a shared experience with his fellow man. Laid Back’s mantra is “playing country music and treating people right”. He strives to uphold that pledge every night.

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