I spent the first 20 years of my life in rural Kentucky, alongside four generations of family. I was immersed in Bluegrass and Old-Time music thanks to that older generation who had weathered the depression and all the ages of war. I used to love sitting out in the sun while my Grandfather and his brother argued about the moon landing, while their army sniper brother sat in a field with a rifle waiting for a rumored groundhog to appear. These people taught me to love what the “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe called the “Ancient Tones.” This is where I found my passion for the mandolin.

My father was a Southern rocker on his Fender Stratocaster who married my Old Time Gospel singing mother when they were both around age 17. At his shows, I watched him command the stage with powerful solos, morphing into a rockstar before my eyes. When he wasn’t onstage he lead singing 3 times a week in beautiful acapella style country churches where I listened for the sacred hum of the spirit. I sat on the wooden pews scared to death of swarms of Red Wasps that floated above us in those chapels. It was there I fell in love with harmony singing in the old hymns.

My musical journey deepened as I befriended legendary figures from the 1960s bluegrass band, The Dillards. I became pen pals with musician/storyteller Mitch Jayne and spent countless days learning from banjo virtuoso Billy Ray Latham. Inspired by their journey from the Ozarks to LA's vibrant music & television scene of LA, I ventured to Nashville and formed The Farewell Drifters. Our sound evolved into expansive folk rock, leading us to share stages with bluegrass icons like Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, and Sam Bush at music festivals and theaters around the world.

Years of touring rekindled my longing for home, prompting my return to Kentucky where I co-founded The Orphan Brigade. In a haunted Civil War-era mansion, we transformed ghostly tales into music and films, later recording in ancient sites across Europe. This creative period peaked with collaborations with legends like John Prine and culminated in an award-winning film showcased at the Nashville Film Festival.

This exposure to filmmaking sparked a new passion. Alongside Neilson Hubbard, I established Neighborhoods Apart Productions, directing music videos for icons including The Killers, Jason Isbell, Billy Idol, and Lucinda Williams. Our lenses capture the essence of musical giants, and I feel surrounded by creativity and powerful art every day.

Now, I am returning to music with “The Boy The Earth Sings To.” This project embodies my journey to follow the quiet voice of God into the wild, beautiful wilderness. Inspired by a famously eccentric Spanish architect's philosophy that “The creation continues incessantly through the media of man. But man does not create…he discovers,” I’ve sought to capture that spirit of discovery.

I've rallied some extraordinarily inspired musical minds for this venture. Matt TheBanjoPlayer, when not touring with Mumford & Sons, brings his magic brilliance, alongside the otherworldly harmonies of Lady Moon, and my steadfast musical brothers, Neilson Hubbard and Good Day Dean. My children, Quincy and Colter, also join in, making this deeply personal to my story.

I wanted this project to be unlike anything I’ve ever created. That eccentric Spanish architect went on to say “Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator. Copiers do not collaborate. Because of this, originality consists in returning to the origin.” I returned to the spirit I have heard singing to my family for generations and to the ancient tones and to the sacred hum of the soul. This music is a beautifully divine to carry for this moment in time. I hope it means something to you.