BIOGRAPHY
Past Present & Future
©2009 W.F. Horton, Multipoint Publishing Inc.
Started playing guitar 1962 played professionally from 1965 through late seventies. I think this time period is recognized as the renaissance of popular culture. All forms of expression were at their peak and breaking new ground; Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Soul, etc. I moved typically like many others trying to express themselves through music and the arts. From school dances to clubs to larger venues, my mistake or my desire to expand my experience was to move toward Blues then to Jazz then to Fusion Jazz and then the giant career killer; original compositions. I got as far as being invited to The Newport Blues and Jazz Festival in the early seventies. They even paid for my studio time which was unheard of in those days. But by that time, I was very tired of the industry in general, moved on enjoyed family life with my wife and children.
Stayed connected to music in background with electronics, electricity, studio design, sound systems, computers etc. Through a family tragedy I was moved to express myself though music and the arts again. Probably not a good move financially but if I’m going to fad away from this life, its going to be while I’m expressing myself through music, painting etc. So after thirty years I’m expressing myself again. I forgot how much time and effort it takes to play guitar and express yourself in a true manner. It’s taken years just to get my playing chops back and I’m still working on it. I’m back so to speak and my thoughts are my own. Influenced by many forms of music from rock to Jazz to classical. I don’t know where it will take me but the path will be mine. I was part of the opening act for a great many very talented people, that never had a hit song and faded into the past. No matter how I arrived here I feel fortunate to be able to take this path again and see what will take place.
There are so many talented people so many good songs in so many forms. I can only say that I’m a conduit. I express myself and the song comes out, it takes many forms based on my experience in life. I respond to the way I feel when trying to compose a song. I play and sing the way it feels at the time, each tune being based on an experience, story, philosophical belief etc. My style of guitar playing has been influenced by B.B. King, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix all playing from the root of the cord. Imagine Weather Report, adding the influence of Miles Davis, Elvin Jones on drums with guitar and vocals in the style of Ray Charles. Some people say the tunes remind them of the Doors but I have no direction when it comes to composition in poetry, music or painting, it just a flow of expression, and I go with.
Read more...