Learning to play fiddle, he eschewed the miner's life for that of an itinerant musician, although he was also employed outside of music at various times, once even owning a strip club for several years. In the early '80s, he fronted a rock band called Kaos in Atlanta, GA. Eventually, he settled in Nashville, where he befriended Patty Griffin and toured with her. He also struck up a relationship with producer Roger Moutenot that led to the recording and release of his debut album, Narcotic Lollipop. Bluefolk, released on Moutenot's Fictitious Records label, followed in February 2006. ~ William Ruhlmann