Clyde Mattocks
Clyde Mattocks' name is usually spoken in hushed, revered tones around bluegrass and country music circles. A founding member (along with Bill Lyerly and Tim Loftin) of the legendary "Super Grit Cowboy Band," Clyde is not only a walking encyclopedia of musical knowledge, but one of the finest dobro and pedal steel guitar players in the entire country. He is also a formidable talent on guitar, upright bass, electric bass, and banjo. As Philip van Vleck wrote in Metro Magazine (March 2001) "If it has strings, he can probably play it." Needless to say, I was both extremely happy and more than a little bit honored to hear that Clyde was going to lend his talents to our "Requiem Mess" CD. Clyde should be officially considered a North Carolina "treasure." Working with him is pure "magic!"
Harvey Dalton Arnold
Harvey Arnold is one of the most gifted musicians with whom I have ever had the pleasure of performing. Before settling back down in North Carolina, Harvey toured the world playing bass guitar and lending his silky-smooth vocals with platinum recording artists, The Outlaws, from June of 1976 until May of 1980. While with The Outlaws, Harvey was produced by none other than Bill Szymczyk, the same guy who produced Hotel California with The Eagles, as well as "The Thrill Is Gone" by B. B. King. When the occasion is right, Harvey straps on a guitar and comes out and plays with us (Bill Lyerly Band). Those evenings are nothing short of amazing! For more information on Harvey, you can find him on several web sites. You can also read about him in Philip van Vleck's excellent article in Metro Magazine (June 2004).Steve Earle
What can I say about one of America's most prolific singer/songwriters that hasn't already been said many times before? Equally at home on stage with Willie Nelson or Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, Steve has influenced countless artists from virtually every musical genre. So well-crafted are his songs, they impact the audience at full force whether he is performing solo with just his guitar, or "full up electric" with The Dukes. To be with Steve in his Nashville, TN studio, while he recorded his vocal tracks on our "Railroad Station Blues" CD was certainly a highlight of my life! I am quite proud that both he and his family consider me a friend. Word of advice: Buy his books, buy his CD's, go see his shows! Really listen to what he has to say. Few people make more sense!Bill Lyerly
And why not? Even though some of the national limelight has possibly dimmed a little since his RCA days, Bill's talent as a songwriter and guitar player "par excellence" has only increased exponentially! If you have never heard Bill play, then don't take my word for it. Come out and see for yourself. I promise you will leave the show knowing that you have just seen and heard one of the truly great guitar players around. Word of advice: if you strike up a conversation with Bill after the show (very easy to do), be prepared to stick around for a while. I have personally seen these conversations last well past the time it takes to fully load all the gear into the truck!!!!!Jeff Grimes
Jeff was living happily in Florida until one day he got a phone call asking him to move to North Carolina and become a member of the legendary "Embers". Due to Jeff's hectic schedule - he also owns and operates his own recording studio in Goldsboro ("Half Lap To Go" from our Requiem Mess CD was recorded there) - Jeff rarely has the opportunity to drop in and perform with us. But when he does, it is an evening I much anticipate! After he stuns the audience with his seamless guitar technique, he then picks up his horn and proceeds to slay any of those left standing. Did I mention that he has a voice that most people would kill for? Jeff is an awesome talent that should not be missed!So there...these are some of MY heroes. World-class players all. But instead of only being able to read about them, you can go down the road and see them. You may possibly even live close to one of them - and aren't even aware of it. You can certainly go up after a show and talk to them. (OK, you will need a special pass to get to Steve, but I assure you that he is very generous to people with his time after shows!) Obviously, I haven't mentioned them all - this is like my first "installment". However, their turn will come, and I look forward to the opportunity to share some information about these and other immensely talented musicians who live "right in our own backyard".
