-I've been playing bass with ekoostik Hookah since it began in 1991. Around that same time, I started playing banjo. The study of bluegrass led me to some of its roots; old-time, country blues, Irish tunes, folk ballads, and classic country music.
--Playing with Hookah has given me the chance to play songs with Arlo Guthrie, Sam Bush, Vassar Clements, Bela Fleck & Jeff Coffin, Dicky Betts, Bob Weir & Ratdog, Airto Moriera, Cyro Baptista, Jonathan Edwards, DJ Logic, Keller Williams, Little Feat, C.J.Chenier, Leftover Salmon, Derek Trucks, Vince Welnick, David Nelson, Merl Saunders, Stanton Moore, Railroad Earth, Moe, Hot Tuna, John Bell, High on the Hog and Michael Hurley.
--I teach piano and guitar to kids on weekday afternoons, and I've been plaing in a few bands around Columbus. One is a New Orleans R&B, piano/sax/bass & drums quartet called Chief Johnny Lonesome- www.chiefjohnny.com, and a country blues jug band called Starbuck, Chern and the Trillionaires. Barry Chern has a website at www.bluestones.com.
I always enjoy playing with Vince. We know a lot of the same songs, and I've been trying to recall some of those lately. Randy Crouch is awesome, too. It looks to be a very dynamite show.
--My girlfriend and I happened to have been in town visiting friends when Great American Taxi played their first show at the Boulder Theater. It was great, I'm looking forward to playing with them also.
--After the end of the year, Hookah is taking a break until the Jamaica trip at the end of March. Then there will be some spring and summer Hookah shows around Ohio.