Woody's Career

BASS-ic Notes 1989-2007

    In 1989, Woody went on to play with The Chris Hicks Band.  He and Chris had been collaborating in the studio already and felt a great affinity for playing together. While with Chris he won several Oklahoma Gazette Music Awards from '92-'94 (see acheives page for awards listings.) Woody did several albums with Chris, and continues to work with Chris in Nashville.  Some of the tunes  you'll hear samples of on this site are tunes written for that band, as well as Speedy's projects.

Stream Woody's tune with The Chris Hicks Band  The Bible According To Scofield   Lo Play (24 kbps)   Hi Play (128 kbps)

  

Next came his decision to move to Nashville. 
Originally, Woody made the move to work in the Contemporary Christian field, and he worked with some of  the best: Margaret Becker, Out of the Grey, Phil Keaggy, Susan Ashton, and Charlie Peacock. He played on Margaret's "Grace" LP.

    Soon there was a call for an audition with Steve Wariner (1995.) Not being a big Country fan, Woody wasn't sure why he should have an interest in this gig.  He learned quickly that Steve had some great things to say, musically, and Steve began to use Woody on his recordings, as well.  Woody even did Steve's video for The Beatles tribute, "Get Back," playing the part of his earliest inspiration as a bass player, Paul McCartney, Hofner in hand!

        
Steve continues to utilize Woody in  the studio, and  they've become great friends. Steve's a big Chet Atkins fan (having played bass for Chet in the past), and put together a concert with Chet and Larry Carlton at the Ryman. (1996) Hence, Woody had an opportunity to play for Steve, Chet, and Larry all in a short period of time. Woody seems to always be blessed with opportunities to work with sensational artists who are also sensational people!
     A note to highlight is Woody's association with Emmylou Harris. In the early '90's Emmylou did a number of Symphony dates. Woody was quite fortunate in having the opportunity to work with her in that capacity, thanks to Don Johnson, who was in Emmylou's "Hot Band" for approximately ten years. He and Woody had done lots of session work in Oklahoma City, and Woody continues to write and play for Don Johnson today.

After touring/recording with Steve Wariner, Woody worked with Ricky Van Shelton for five years. (1997- 2002) (See photo of Woody's Mom, Sybil, with RVS and Woody.)  Ricky enjoys featuring his band,  and this band is no exception. Woody was featured in the show, either playing or singing a tune of his choice. Whether it was a "Beatle-grass" version of "We Can Work It Out", "Ain't That Peculiar", or a solo vocal/instrumental spot, it was always fun. 

       When he was not out touring in the year 2000, Woody diligently worked on the creation of his web site, as well as producing and recording his two CD's and making his music available for you, on site.

    Opportunistically,  2001 and 2002 have brought many more recording, writing & playing ventures  ... many of the collaborative type, via the Internet.  The web offers an excellent opportunity for musicians from all over the globe to send each other material and play on each other's tracks.  You can hear one of these collaborations, to  the tune of  "GOT BASS" -- which Woody participated in (playing Piccolo Bass with Bill Lawrence on bass.)

Stream Bobby Brewer's NEW collaboration with Woody playing Piccolo Bass.      Got Bass?  Lo Play (24 kbps)  Hi Play (128 kbps)

         Woody keeps busy playing in the studio with many artists, including Steve Wariner.   Working with new artists is part of the cool thing about living in Nashville. One artist Woody has worked with sings in the Traditional Country vocal style....and he's great! His name is Kevin Denney. Look for Leslie Mills' (--- a new artist on Atlantic Records discovered by Paul McCartney), new release in late 2003. Woody played on her project through another great Writer/Producer, Brian Siewert, who Woody works with on various studio and TV projects. When he's not in the studio or on the road, Woody plays as much Jazz around town as he can, and writes for "As the World Turns" and "Guiding Light".

Stream two of Woody's T.V. "Soaps" sound cues. Gems  Lo Play (24 kbps)  Hi Play (128 kbps) Newbie Groove  Lo Play (24 kbps)  Hi Play (128 kbps)

    In October of 2004, Woody made a trip to the Columbus, Ohio area (7 1/2 hours, there and back- to be exact) to check out the latest, most cutting edge bass company and their wares. The company is called Lightwave Music, and their instruments are incredible. Run by Steve and Mike Wilson, with tech work by Mike Martini, the technology is based upon the idea of not using magnetic pickups. These basses utilize an optical pickup, with a laser for each separate string, and a piezo pickup in the bridge as well. No more noise or RF!! Exactly what was needed! Those needs were specific: a bass that feels great, sounds great, is lighter than air, and has no noise factor. What he found was all those things and an extremely stunning bass, cosmetically as well. He walked away with an endorsement, 2 basses (fretted & fretless 5 strings), and a new set of friends. The only problem he had that whole day was deciding which basses to pick. The company offers exotic woods and two "bassic" model styles. "These basses represent one of the most unique and rewarding delivery systems for creativity I've ever encountered!"

    While Woody continues to record and tour with Steve Wariner and Ty Herndon, 2004, 2005, and 2006 have brought a new musical relationship to the forefront- he Is currently touring with Gary Puckett.

    Woody became Gary's Musical Director in 2007, as Mariano Longo started working too much in Vegas to be able to do the road thing. Mariano does excellent scoring for Symphony Orchestra, or any other unit, and is a busy guy in Vegas these days. Woody found the Keyboard replacement for Mariano in Nashville through friends- - Galen Butler, a great player/producer who has done extensive work in many situations through the years, including work with the Gatlin Brothers.

     In January of 2007, Woody was approached by Al Lewis, lead singer for the Progressive Rock group- Starcastle, to perform with a reunion of the group at ROSFEST. This festival is for Prog Rock fans all over. It's held in Phoenixville, PA. where part of "The Blob" was filmed in the late 50's. Woody began working on the material and performed as a headliner with Starcastle on April 27, 2007. The original bassist, Gary Strater passed away in 2006 from pancreatic cancer. He was the backbone of the group, and a superlative player. Needless to say, Woody felt he should do as much as possible to pay homage and tribute to Gary and his sound as a bassist. Gary's bass lines and sound were intricately tied to both the Prog Rock genre and the unique sound of Starcastle. It was a rare privilege to get to perform with a great group like this, and hopefully Starcastle will continue to perform whenever scheduling allows.

       "2007 has definitely been an interesting year. So far, I've taken over the Musical director chair for Gary Puckett, played with Starcastle as they headlined ROSFEST in April, and now I've been lucky enough to have found another great company to represent out there on the road. Dean Guitars has long been associated with great instruments and players, though many on their roster come from the Rock and Metal side of things. It was interesting then to me, that two of my all time favorite bass players, that have a jazz slant to their music, are on their roster as well....Jeff Berlin and Brian Bromberg, both with signature instruments. I figured if they played Dean basses, there must be something to it all. I took a trip down to Tampa to visit their warehouse facility. Josh Maloney is their A&R guy there, and he was nice enough to let me check it all out, playing many of their axes in their show room. Well, I ended up wanting to get a few things, of course (LOL), and now I'm proud to be endorsing Dean Guitars out on the road with Gary Puckett. Great looking, solid, dependable and playable instruments is what I require on the road, and that's exactly what Dean delivers! You can see me out on the road this year with Dean Basses! I'm psyched!"        Woody

Stay tuned for further updates!

 Woody's Awards &  Discography  

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