BIOGRAPHY

I was born in 1984 in Winston-Salem, NC to David and Debbie Pope. Growing up, I lived in three different states, but was back to NC for my teenager years. We worked, always went to church, listened to country, oldies, gospel, and bluegrass music. At the early age of 7, I decided that I wanted to entertain like Garth Brooks. That was also the year that my parents divorced and I figured out what sad country songs where talking about. It all touched me deeply.

My dad was a redneck who took me rabbit hunting with his beagles and sold Rainbow vacuum cleaners for a living. My mom was a homemaker who loved farm animals and planting gardens. I thought it was normal to have a pot-bellied pig living in the house; I once buried 35 chickens (in one day) that got killed by our neighbor’s dog. I developed a good sense of reality at a young age, as well as responsibility and good manners. But I also had time to dream while I was burying chickens (and any goats of ours that may have knocked off), going fishing, and walking around in the woods. I really looked forward to cheeseburgers and Wal-Mart. And, when I made money mowing or shoveling horse crap, I spent that hard earned money on music. We always had old cars that broke down, and now I’m endeared to rust buckets, as they have character. I wanted to be like the old-timers who sat around telling stories and entertaining whoever stopped long enough to listen. I was a young, old soul.

By the time I was 15, I had seen two divorces, and figured out that I liked being alone on the 200 acre farm we rented from my uncle in NC. I got a guitar for my birthday that year, and my great-grandpa (in his 80’s at the time) taught me how to play a gospel song called “Where Could I Go”.

That’s when it clicked…playing music was as important to me as breathing. I started writing songs and singing in local churches. I wanted to capture Elvis & Garth’s energy, Cash’s perspective, Hank William’s honesty, and mix it with the traditional sounds of country music that I was so familiar with. I had, and still do have, such a deep respect for Alan Jackson, Randy Travis and all those that are true country artists carrying on the tradition.

I eventually played in coffee shops, bars, a prison, and an ice cream shop. I played a Wendy’s once too (my first paid gig, a $5.00 dare). I stood on a chair and sang “Boy Named Sue” in front of a packed house while folks sipped Frostys and ate their fries. In 2006 I loaded the car and followed my heart to Tennessee, and I haven’t regretted it. I continue to play wherever and whenever the opportunity arises, and I try to surround myself with the best musicians I have ever known, because it helps me to grow as well.

I love communication, and relating a message of value to others. Anything real, that draws out emotion, is valuable to me. So, the make-up of who I am will always want to encourage folks to laugh, smile, remember, find themselves, follow their hearts, and even cry if they must.

Through all this, I’ve developed my ultimate goal.
It is simple… entertain.