Wes

I started playing acoustic guitar at the age of 7. My biggest influence was my Grandfather. I started taking lessons at age 7 and continued through my Freshman year in high school. The music lessons started to pay dividends when I tried out for the high school Jazz ensemble in the 10th grade and was selected to join the band. The Jefferson High School Jazz Band was rated as one of the top Bands in the state. My background in music theory really paid off. I continued to participate in the Jazz Band through my Senior year. I was selected to receive the coveted Louis Armstrong Jazz award which was given to the top Jazz musician of that year. I continued my Jazz band experience through my Freshman year of College when I was selected to join the Shepherd College Jazz Ensemble. During the second semester, the band had 3 guitar players so the Band director asked if it would be possible for me to play Bass guitar, due to the fact the bass guitar player graduated. I agreed to the task, the music theory came in handy again because knowledge of the bass clef was influential in learning the instrument well enough to play in an prestigious College Jazz band.

Bored by the college life, I decided to get a job and was asked to join a local Variety band called Special Edition. I played in nightclubs in the tri-state area ( WV, Pennsylvania, VA, MD) with Special Edition for 10 years. Special Edition decided to call it quits so after an 8 month hiatus , I met Greg Jenkins the then drummer of a hot local band called FASTLANE. I jammed with Greg and boys for 8 years and at that time the band known as Fastlane decided take a break. I then joined a band called Loaded Dice for a short period. During this period I married my wife Marika ( who is the lead singer in the New FastLane Band)

Marika & I have been jammin with Rick, Greg, Ron and Glenn since June of 2007 and the band is still going strong. I would like to add that the Band is doing better than ever and I am having a great time entertaining the wonderful people whosoever graciously come to check out the show. ROCK ON!!!!!

Wes