Born and raised in Benton, TN, "Hood" comes from a very musically talented family where get-togethers always included singing and playing for hours around the piano.  After learning to play several songs by ear, his parents put him in piano lessons at the age of 5.  He quickly became self taught on the guitar and bass also.  A graduate of Polk County High School, he played trumpet in the marching band and was voted 'most talented'.  He earned a music scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan College and graduated with a B.A. in Music (Vocal Performance).  He is an accomplished singer/songwriter and video post-production composer.  While his musical influences range from Merle Haggard to Mozart, Hood's heros are songwriters.  He credits most of his piano skills to watching and learning from his Uncle James.  Hood's favorite gigs are Buckhead Church, singing and dancing with his daughter at home, and playing the guitar around a Montana campfire with a few friends.