C.Freeman, Lead Guitar

It was May of 1967 when he got his first guitar. After one year of classical lessons he started playing bluegrass and country with members of the family. He was inspired by Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Roy Clark, and Jerry Reed. Introduced to Big Band music by his grandfather, he joined the Symphonic band in grade school using his alto sax. In middle school his instructor wanted him in the jazz band playing bass. The second year he returned to the guitar. After starting high school he met Jack Bass who was rhythm guitar player in a rock band. They played covers by bands such as Rush and Skynyrd. He started listening to Hendrix, Riot, AC/DC, Sabbath, Priest, Iron Maiden and others like them. He started working and had no time to play until he injured his back, spending his recovery time rehashing rock licks with his nephew who was playing bass at the time. In 1987 he joined the Navy to get away for a while and wound up serving 20 years. He spent his off time overseas and on the ship playing with who ever he could find. When he went to shore duty in Everett Washington he made friends with some musicians and formed a band called Backwater. They played some parties, VFW halls, and the base club. Their last gig was on the base 4th of July 2003 playing on the local radio station stage. He than spent the last 3 years in Bahrain playing with the Philipino bands that were brought in to play the hotels. By the time he left, if he walked in he was playing. After retiring he was in contact with Gus (a member of Backwater) who told him about an ad for a guitar player and he now is the lead guitar player for The Shadow Creek Project!.