LiveKite - Artist - TommyOgle

about

I learned to love music in my pre teens while listening to my uncle’s old Buddy Holly 78s. As I grew I took drums in school, and then switched to guitar at 13. Since then I’ve tried to learn any instrument I could get my hands on. The only one I ever felt any measure of success with is upright bass, until about three years ago. I picked up a banjo, and it became an instant obsession. I began to learn the old mountain songs, adapt modern worship songs to the claw hammer rhythms, and write like never before. For me the late 60s, and early 70s are a blur of drugs and alcohol. In 1974 I was given a bible in modern English. It was a turning point in my life. It said things I knew to be true. A way of life I knew to be the only way to truly live. Since that time I’ve played in several contemporary Christian bands, I’ve been on a lot worship teams, and I was the worship leader for The “Vine Community Church” from 1995 To 2004. I’ve always had a love for blue grass, and mountain music, and I’ve done a bit of pick up work over the years. For ten years I was a member of “The Almost Brothers” (An old time string band.) This spring I’m releasing my first album “sparrow”. Songs written about real life with the haunting melodies that can only be played on a claw hammer banjo. Tommy Ogle

influences

Hank Senior, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, The Beetles, Any body that they played on FM (under ground radio) in the 60s, Christian rock in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I listen to about any kind of music, but I’ve never strayed far from blue grass in my on playing. I’ve been influenced the most by people that use words like a painter uses canvas. Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Glenn Kaiser to name a few. And I’ve learned a lot over the years from my good friend, Dan Knowles.