| Home The Band Schedule Trail Photos Links Song Clips | |
|
|
|
| ANDY VANCE | |
|
Andy Vance
plays lead guitar on two signature Fender Telecasters - his red
Johnny Paycheck custom and his classic blue Paisley - and
sings lead and harmony vocals for Broken Trail. Born and raised
in the Midwest, he began his onstage career at the early age of
twelve. "I was fortunate enough to be able to start singing with
my father’s band when I was twelve. My dad was a great influence
in my music. He would always teach me just enough to make me
learn on my own and become self sufficient."
Andy started playing guitar at the age of six. "I remember the first song that I ever learned was Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star. The whole song could be played on one string." Through the years Andy’s passion for music kept growing and he practiced as much as time would allow. Andy’s musical career really became a driving force while he was stationed in Germany. "I was rodeoing every weekend and got to know most of the local bands and club owners." It wasn’t long before Andy traded his spurs for his guitar and began playing in local bands again. When he was transferred to Ft. Lewis in late 1995 he continued to play music on the weekends in local bands. "I have met and played with many great musicians since coming to the Northwest, but Lynn Collins and "Shotgun Red" are by far, the most influential. They have both been like mentors to me. They have taught me things that I never would have learned on a stage on my own and I’m quite thankful to both of them." Andy’s voice has always been described as having the "twang" that country is supposed to have. He derives that style from a great variety of influences. They include George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck, Waylon Jennings, Faron Young, and Vern Gosdin, just to name a few. "I’ve always been very partial to the roots of country music, long before it became ‘country pop.’ I’ve even been nicknamed the ‘Little Possum’ by the guys. That is actually one of the biggest compliments that they could ever pay me." Andy’s guitar playing takes most people back to the days of Roy Nickles and Donnie Rich. Unlike most guitar players of today, Andy doesn’t use any sort of picks on 95% of the songs that he plays. "I really like the sound that I can get without picks so I’ve stuck with it through the years."
Andy is one
of the chief songwriters in the band.
Broken Trail is currently in the studio working on their first CD of
original music. Written, arranged, and performed by the band,
the full-length disc is being co-produced by Broken Trail and
Rickie Ray Heinzman. Look for it on iTunes and at all Trail
shows in Fall 2008. |
 |
 |
|
|
Members
|
|
|
© 2008 BROKEN TRAIL |
|
