He was born in Fort
Payne, Alabama and is a
founding member, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist for the groupAlabama.He has been playing lead guitar and
keyboards in bands since the age of 13 and three days after his 14th
birthday he secured a broadcasting license to work as a disc jockey in a
local radio station.He
received a degree in electronic technology from GadsdenStateCommunity College
and was named the outstanding alumni by the American Association of
Community Colleges.In the late 60s he teamed up with
his distant cousins Randy
Owen and Teddy
Gentry
to form Wildcountry which was later to becomeAlabama.Several of his compositions appear
on the band's albums.In 1985
he was named one of the top three guitarists by Guitar Player's Magazine.He played with the band until their
Farewell Concerts in 2003/4.He owns his own radio and TV station as well as a construction
company.
