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Name: William Henry Howard aka "Dixie"
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Born April 28, 1957 in Yadkinville (one horse town), NC USA
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Became a music junkie in November, 1971 upon hearing Zeppelin's Black Dog and Tull's Aqualung one night on the radio. Shortly afterwards, saw a photo of Marc Bolan (T. Rex) with a Gibson Flying V. I was never the same afterwards. I wanted to be a musician. Went from getting straight As to barely passing in my studies.
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Bought 1st guitar (Epiphone Sheridan) and a violin summer of 1973. Smoke On The Water was about the most I could accomplish on the violin.
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Joined / formed first band October of 1973 with two guys from high school who needed a bass player. Traded Epiphone and violin in for Japanese EB-3 copy bass and Acoustic 501 bass amp.
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Have played in numerous (gone nowhere - typical Spinal Tap scenarios) bands throughout the years and trends (1973-1996) as bass player and guitarist. Playing primarily the East Coast and South (80s). Also sessions and a few videos. But unfortunately, nothing of any note or recognition (I know boo-hoo).
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Bands played in (some gigged - most didn't). I was always looking for compatible players (or the perfect band) and wouldn't settle for less. So usually after 6 months of auditioning people, I'd walk away or jump ship for "greener pastures". So it's probably my own fault that I never "made it". Several guys I've played with or rejected wound up with record contracts. Good for them. They deserved it. Never made that move to L.A. like they did. My reasoning was that there were ten like me on every street corner. Why bother. Oh well. No regrets.