Born September 30, 1968 in Hamilton Ohio, Wesley was the fourth child born into a family of seven raised by father Dennis & mother Naomi. His dad gave him his first guitar at age six and taught him his first chords G, C, & D. It was a beginner's harmony accoustic guitar with a Mel Bay chord book. His older brother Lloyd (ten years older than Wesley) played guitar in the styles of Merle Travis & Chet Atkins. Lloyd traveled and preached throughout the United States. Lloyd came home one Thanksgiving & gave Wesley an 8-track tape of Chet Atkins that changed Wesley's life forever. He wanted to be a thumb-style player from that moment on. Wesley's dad bought him a Play Along with Chet album, and the first song he learned to play was Windy & Warm. Life-long family friend Earl Eleton played lead guitar at church and when Wesley was eight years old he learned this man wasn't Chet Atkins. Earl sounded so much like Chet Atkins and this influenced Wesley to play thumb-style guitar. After learning many Chet-tunes, Wesley then moved on to learn the picking style of Jerry Reed. At age 25 he became interested in Albert Lee, Ray Flack, & Brent Mason. Wesley's performed on many southern gospel albums & with several gospel groups including Day Star, The Trailblazers, The New Hinsons, The Called Vocal Group, and Solid Ground. Accomplishments:2004 winner International Thumbpicking Championship @ Paradise Park in Muhlenberg KY, first place in traditional style of Chet & Merle and first place in contemporary style. Sponsors & Endorsements * sponsored by Wallace Guitars inNiota TN * signature model accoustic guitar - hand crafted by David Wallace - visit website www.wallaceguitars.com to view other models * signature model nylon string guitar * signature model TL Light with B-bender * endorsed by GHS Strings * Wesley uses 12 - 54 Infinity Accoustic & Super Hard Tension Nylon Thanks - To my wife Sandra and sons Jesley & Kylan for support and listening to late nights of practice. To Dad & Mom for all the guitars they bought for me through the years & for putting up with all the bad notes while learning to play guitar. Wesley never wanted anything more than to serve God through playing his guitar because God gave him this talent & sent His Son Jesus Christ to dieon a cross for our sins, that we should not perish but be saved through His blood.
Make a Free Website with Yola.