Album Notes

"'Speechless' is a great CD. I was knocked out by the playing and the writing. It's one of my favorite contemporary instrumental albums and I look forward to your next record."
-David Hungate (legendary bassist for Toto, LA/Nashville session ace)

“It’s such a pleasure to hear a musician that you know has all the chops, but only uses them to enhance the music- not crowd it. Technique is a vehicle for the benefit of the music- not the music being a slave to the technique. In a word- taste! Travis really is a superb player, with a great feel for sounds and approaches. Not many players have that musical vocabulary backed by such ability. This is great music by any standards.”
-Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, Dokken, Dio, War&Peace)


**Listen for Travis' music on the nationally syndicated radio program, "The Phil Valentine Show"**


**"Speechless" reviewed in the May 2006 issue of "20th Century Guitar" magazine**

**Travis interviewed in the June 2006 issue of "20th Century Guitar" magazine**

**Travis featured in the July 2006 issue of "Guitar World"**


Travis Henson, a session guitarist, live sideman and songwriter in Nashville since 1995, has added solo artist to an already-impressive resume. His debut instrumental solo album "Speechless" is textured with guitars so brilliantly, and filled with melodies so infectious, in fact, that it will very easily leave you in a serene moment as just that...speechless.

It all started for Travis growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, where he was exposed to the Appalachian music of the region, as well as the music his parents and siblings played. Planted were the seeds of diversity. “I loved the Beatles and Kiss, as well as Ronnie Milsap and Willie Nelson. I didn’t see genres of music, just good music.” Not content with just listening to records, he started piano lessons at the age of 7 and later joined his school band where he played saxophone. But Travis wanted more rock from his music and acquired the electric guitar to do so in 1986.

“I bought every guitar magazine I could find, wore down thousands of picks practicing and played records at 1/2 speed to learn solos by Jake E. Lee, Randy Rhoads, Gary Moore, Steve Lukather and hundreds more.” He put his chops to use in several high school bands and started writing his own songs. After graduating, Travis sold guitars at his local music shop during the day and gigged with his band, Mane Attraction (yes…a hair band!) at night.

Since late ‘95, Travis has lugged gear to every stage in Nashville and much of the United States. His extensive resume includes many albums, live performances and published songs. He has even played on Coca-Cola jingles. “I’ve been a sponge since the day I moved here. There are so many inspiring writers and players, it’s pushed me to be a more well-rounded musician. Nashville’s a Mecca for much more than just country music.”

Among the albums that he has been a part of are two from Poison front man, Bret Michaels. Bret also hired Travis to play on movie soundtracks for his production company, as well as co-writing the title track to “A Letter From Death Row” with him.

Travis has also performed/recorded with artists Kevin Sharp, Mitch Malloy, Kelly Ann Monahan, Whirlybird, Forty Thieves, Johnny Vance, Tia McGraff, D-Tox and Jamie Kindleyside…among many others. He has also been a part of numerous artist showcases and events for producers, publishers and record companies.

But it is Travis' recently-finished recording of his debut instrumental album "Speechless" about which he is most passionate. Travis says intently, “The focus of my recording is on the songs. It’s more about melody and a great hook, than on technique. Nobody cares how fast you can play if they can’t relate or sing it back to you…that’s the real reward for what I do. I want to make music that appeals to a broad audience.”

And it will appeal to a broad audience. Live performances among a spectrum of audiences where the just-released "Speechless" has already sold like buttery hotcakes proves just that.

With Travis, though, there's really nothing to prove. He says it all without saying a word.