Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Goodson.
Stephen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
If by “started,” you mean in music, then that goes back to when I was 7 years old ( I was born May 22, 1983, I’ll let y’all do the math), taking piano lessons from a crotchety old lady who was strict and ineffectual. I didn’t pick up another instrument until 5th grade, where I expressed interest in clarinet and percussion. I took private lessons on clarinet and got a few awards for all-region/all-state etc. However, what really piqued my interest was the prospect of playing drums. My Dad had shown me his old Rolling Stones, Cream and Jimi Hendrix records with their bombastic, infectious beats, and at school I had chops enough to hang with whatever Bud Wis (band director) had to throw at me. Around that time I began messing around with my Dad’s ’64 Strat and ’68 Hummingbird that he got for less than $200 (in 1974 dollars). I was immediately hooked. I learned Led Zeppelin II from front to back and tried to re-record the whole thing on a Tascam 4-track. By 7th grade my friends and I were making ‘albums’ in my upstairs jam room. Pretty much didn’t care about grades after that point.
In High School, I continue playing in Band but only percussion in the marching band, but played guitar for the Jazz Ensemble and got to get out of class many times for legitimate reasons (plus I never had to do P.E. or sports…bonus!). Up to this point, I hadn’t taken guitar lessons and relied on my ear and any written notation that had carried over from Band. At 16 I signed up for lessons at Mars Music, where my teacher Dan Hagen saw potential in the passion, and suggested I apply to the University of North Texas Jazz Studies program, with an emphasis on Guitar Performance. That is exactly what I did! What had buttressed my decision was a close friend and fellow drum-line compatriot…
Chris Hill was an import from Orange County, CA, and he had more of an impact on my “listening life” than anybody previous or since. We would ride around in his Buick Roadmaster listening to Charlie Parker cassettes, no booze, no cigarettes, just a mandatory stop at the Pitt Grill (a Fitzhugh and 75 staple) where SRV’s live at the Macambo played on repeat until the haggard waitstaff eventually unplugged it. Through these experiences I began to understand melody, time, and their relationship to intensity and control. At that point I knew I would not be having a ‘normal’ life.
Fast-forward through the intensely vacuous torture that was being a music major UNT, and I dropped out a semester early to play in a band called Nelo, whose founder and I went to high school together (we actually won the battle of the bands after playing ‘Foxey Lady’ and two originals, having thoroughly coated the high school’s gong with rubber cement, we thankfully chickened out from igniting it a la Bonham). He had partnered up with a country Tenor named Reid Umstattd, (who for those awake in the 2010s might have seen on the “Voice.” ). Nelo was comprised of 4 UNT musicians (Mike St. Clair, Chris Hill, David Long, and myself), Matt Ragland (principal songwriter) and the aforementioned Reid. I played lead guitar and facilitated some early recording projects, which eventually grew and landed us greater and bigger conditions (including doing opening tours with Sister Hazel, Everclear, Zac Brown Band, the Wailers, ACL Fest 2009 etc.) that led to us being signed to a Universal Distribution deal in 2007. (this was after being courted by Rick Hall of Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL where we cut a few songs to tape, declined their deal becasue none of us wanted to move to Alabama! Willie Nelson’s Cutt n’ Putt in Spicewood, TX would where we spent 10 days cutting our first record. It came out in April 2008, which hit #18 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart. From 2005-2009, I was constantly either touring or recuperating from touring, and I can attest, it takes a heavy toll.
After moderate success but lagging sustainability, I was let go from Nelo (by Matt, one of my closest friends, but we remain close to this day). It was a regrouping move that was a better fit for everyone, as I had not ever really defined what wanted out of music and commerce, and this affected my relationships with others. More than anything, alcohol had slowly but surely crept in to my every waking thought, and I began to make a series of dire decisions that would affect the rest of my life. At that time, having been devastated by the loss of my one and only band, and having dropped out of college with no other skills, I decided to play guitar for the U.S. Army (a move local producer Beau Bedford once described as “So you went full Hendrix?”) . But I never got to serve my full contract. Having gone in as. a Specialist (E-4) and completing BCT, my AIT experience went horribly wrong for me when my alcoholic brain decided to go out every single night to the bowling alley on base at Little Creek, Virginia. For those that don’t already know, a geographic solution to an alcohol problem never works. Because wherever you go, there you are! I was honorably discharged just before July 4th weekend in 2011, taking a full-fare flight paid for by the US government, my head in my hands in shame. It would take an enfeebled attempt at restarting college, and a desperate call to my Mom in October of that year before I took my last drink, and over 14 years later, music is still my primary focus in life.
2013-2017 I played the “hired gun” role fairly thoroughly, having played some really interesting dates with Catie Offerman, Diedre Thornell, David Michael George, Elaina Kay, Sarah Johnson etc. ( if I left anyone out, sorry) Roundabout this time I met a Mr. Patrick Smith, maven musician and connector extraordinaire. He connected me to lots of talented people, mostly singers with stars in their eyes but no stones in their gut. I also drummed and produced for “Ruff Wizard” a Dallas-based outfit that is currently on hiatus…not kaiyote.
I witnessed and participated in a lot of great music, but I’ve seen a lot of people come and go in the industry, mostly because of their God or their real estate license. I chose differently, and have gained and lost lots of friends at a regular clip for most of my life. What a privilege it is to share in my vulnerability with a new crowd most nights!
Anyway, where I am now is I run a solo entertainment business for weddings and corporate events, also playing lead guitar in a nationally touring Taylor Swift tribute band. I record music for fun, avoid AI making decisions for me, and I keep my side of the street clean.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not a smooth road, whatsoever. I think we all land on this Earth with different advantages, but those who are plugged into the industry by birth or proximity certainly will have an easier time plying their trade than I did. I played the cards I was dealt, but with standards and ethics. As a first-generation musician, I had to learn as I went that the company you keep and the network you create are vitally important. It really is true what they say about the 5 people you hang with most. If you’re not growing in the same direction, or are afraid to teach people how to treat you, play Classical.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My focus is listening to and responding tastefully to whatever song is in the room. What I believe sets me a part is a total dedication to the musical task at hand, as every single performance is a privilege for which I am eternally grateful. I am most proud of sustaining the means to dedicate my life to and for the service of musical excellence. What also sets me a part is that I went to UNT and never learned “All The Things You Are” because I really don’t like the tune 🙂
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing someone’s face light up in the crowd. Coffee at just the right temperature. A clean, entourage-free stage. My friends’ laughter. Sleep.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephengoodsonmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephengoodsonmusic/
Image Credits
1.) David Alpuche
2.) Edgerly Photography
