The People Who Shaped the Sound
Forty-five years in music means 45 years of learning from the best. These are the artists, engineers, and musicians who left a permanent mark on how Bear hears, plays, and thinks about sound.
Steve Miller
Bear's best friend and one of the most important musical relationships of his life. Bear taught Steve the Chet Atkins thumbstyle approach — a skill passed down from Chet himself. Bear says Steve taught him much more than he can ever repay. Steve talked about Bear on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Hal Ketchum
Bear and Hal were like brothers. Guitarist and road manager for Hal throughout the 1980s and 90s, performing at the Grand Ole Opry regularly. Their final show together was at the Ryman Auditorium, August 21, 2010. Hal passed November 23, 2020.
Chet Atkins
Bear met Chet Atkins in 1984, the same year he moved to Nashville. The encounter sparked a deep respect for fingerstyle guitar and country music's roots — an influence that runs through everything Bear has played and produced since.
Ray Flacke
Guitar legend, Ricky Skaggs's lead guitarist, and one of Bear's closest friends since 1984. Chess partners for 27 years. Ray's approach to tone and phrasing is woven into Bear's musical DNA.
Keb' Mo'
Met Keb' Mo' at the Sun Valley summer concert series in 1991, with Bonnie Raitt and Carole King on the same bill. That night is the war story that opens Module 1 of the Mixing Method — the moment everything clicked about what live sound could be.
D.J. Fontana
Elvis Presley's original drummer and one of the architects of rock and roll's backbeat. Bear had the privilege of knowing D.J. personally — a connection to the very beginning of the music that shaped everything. D.J. passed June 13, 2018.