Born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee (Home of Carl Perkins, "Mr. Blue Suede Shoes, Himself"). Brek was exposed to his first rock concert at the age of 7. He immediately was drawn to the guitar in all forms and fashion. Since then he has performed and played in a variety of musical settings and genres, from Classical to Jazz to Renaissance to his beloved Rock-n-Roll. Brek has studied under the likes of Rock guitarist Jim Harkins and renowned Jazz guitarist Lou Carfa. He has music theory and composition training as well which includes piano studies. Now, after many long hours of putting his fingers to the grind, "The Killdares" have brought something to him that is indescribably the happiest, most fun and challenging Rock music of his time.

HOMETOWN:
JACKSON, TENNESSEE

MAIN INSTRUMENT:
GUITAR

OTHER INSTRUMENTS:
PIANO, PERCUSSION

FIRST GIG AS A MEMBER OF THE KILLDARES:
July Jamm in Lincoln, Nebraska July 24, 2004 (what a great gig!)


MOST INFLUENTIAL BANDS:
YES, COLLECTIVE SOUL, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, JARS OF CLAY, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, PATTY GRIFFIN, LED ZEPPELIN


FAVORTITE GUITAR PLAYERS:
STEVE HOWE, PAT METHENY, MARK FARNER, ROSS CHILDRESS, JEFF BECK, JIMI HENDRIX, OTTMAR LIEBERT, JIMMY PAGE.... too many to list.

MOST MEMORABLE MUSICAL MOMENT:
My first high school rock band, "Pentagon", played on the court house lawn in our home town of Jackson, Tennessee one sunny afternoon. I was in the beginning stages of learning to play Lead guitar because I had been the Rhythm guitarist in that band since the beginning. It came time to rip out the lead to one of my favorite songs, "Gimme 3 Steps" and of course I was quite nervous. So I took some deep breaths during the first verse and chorus and "Kabam" it was my time to shine. I nailed every note just like the record. When that song was done I felt like I had just won the Grammy.


FIRST INSTRUMENT:
GUITAR

HOW DID YOU EVER BEGIN TO PLAY MUSIC? WHO INSPIRED YOU?
I was turned on to Grand Funk Railroad at the age of 7 by some friends. After being exposed to their first album "ON TIME", I immediately felt a sense of inspiration from the music and the lyrics. I basically begged by father to take me to the GFR concert in Memphis. He took me and 5 of my buddies and from that point on I knew I wanted to Rock!

WHO INSPIRED YOU?:
Mark Farner of GFR. They had many hits on the radio but as I dug into their albums and their "B sides" I was just totally amazed and enthralled with their music and lyrics. Finally I was fortunate enough to meet him in 1988 in Dallas and was able to let him know what an inspiration his playing and music has meant to me nearly my entire life.

WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW TO PLAY MUSIC?
I have to give that credit to a friend by the name of Philip Broyles. I met Philip when I was about 12 years old and he was about 14. Philip could play Rock guitar like no other and was starting a band. He and his band mates were nice enough to accept me in to their band and show me the ropes on guitar, learning songs from the radio, song books and arranging songs. I could not be more thankful for the 6 years I spent working with Philip and the band "Pentagon." Then I finally made it to Texas and decided I wanted to further my knowledge of the guitar. I was fortunate enough to receive instruction from a nationally known jazz guitarist by the name of Lou Carfa. Lou taught me more on the guitar than I could have ever imagined. From theory to classical to jazz, he was definitely a milestone in my life for helping me to excel on the guitar.

IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO PLAY WITH ANY OTHER MUSICIAN OR GROUP, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - because of the Rock-n-Roll Soul that they have in their music that gives me chills up the spine.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ALBUMS OF ALL TIME?
YES: "Fragile", JARS OF CLAY: "Jars of Clay", ALAN PARSON PROJECT: "Tales of Mystery and Imagination", PATTY GRIFFIN: "Flaming Red", COLLECTIVE SOUL: "Collective Soul"

WHAT'S IN YOUR CD PLAYER RIGHT NOW?
THE KILLDARES, PATTY GRIFFIN, YES, JARS OF CLAY

HOW DO YOU PASS TIME ON THE ROAD?
Playing silly movie trivia (that I lose at) and music trivia (which I can compete at), writing, driving, driving and more driving (especially backing up the trailer!).


FAVORITE MOVIES:
SILVER STREAK, GLADIATOR


FAVORITE QUOTE / AUTHOR:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" / The Apostle Paul