I guess I will start with growing up in a big family, in a small time – big city town in a neighborhood that was in the middle of a farm field. There were about 100 houses surrounded by woods, farm fields and a lake, along with plenty of kids. There was always something going on. This recipe provided plenty of memories through spring, summer, winter and fall. Looking back as a self-proclaimed songwriter, I had so many opportunities for inspiration. I remember two of the neighborhood guys had guitars. The mom and dad of one of the kids bought him a top of the line guitar, amp along with lessons. He learned one of the most popular guitar chord arrangements for its time. It was a song named “House of the Rising Sun.” He played it flawlessly. That’s when I realized I wanted to learn guitar.
Later I met a friend that lived up the road, just outside the neighborhood. His mom was a world class pianist. Needless to say, we formed our first basement band. Being the least talented musician, I picked up the bass guitar (probably because it only had four strings).
I never quite understood it, but it seemed to me that bass players where the ones that booked all the shows for garage bands. From there I booked every band I was a member of. And pretty much became the leader. Naming bands and help naming groups was one of my many tasks. At that point my bass playing days finally run its course.
“Many people have a tendency of expecting more from this business than is realistic, if you really love what you do, you always seem to find a way of making just enough. I appreciate the fact that every day I get up and someone literally is paying me to do it. I do have a blended life. I’m doing it and it’s all because I love it.”
Some years later, my brother and I left our most popular band “Framework.” My brother Paul was a very talented musician, playing key boards, guitar as well as vocals. It was just the two of us and Paul finally found that his love for music was greater than the lifestyle of the musician and decided to stop playing out. I then went off to develop different concepts of small bands and acoustic acts – each one with its own level of success. The most successful band I had was a band named “Khaki Lymon,” a Jimmy Buffet style band. It was a five-piece band and I was the front-man. Even though having many musicians go through this concept band (I hope there’s no hard feelings), we were always having a good time.
At this stage of my music business I have met so many people with life long experiences, each one with their own bio and stories behind them. My business is no different than any other field of work or career. There are a lot of ups and downs, highs and lows. In this business finding that even keel is the ultimate measurement of success. I guess that’s what I strive for. I stay very busy working 10-13 shows a week. I am blessed that someone is willing to pay me to play music and it still seems very surreal to me (as mentioned in the Times newspaper article).
THAT’S MY STORY AND I’M STICKING TO IT!
DH (Hutch)
