He later moved with his family to Geraldine, Alabama where he graduated high school, all the while playing in various bands in the northeast Alabama area. He played with Pat Upton's band Headline to large crowds in Upton's bar, P.J.
He subsequently relocated to Geraldine, Alabama, where he completed high school while performing in various bands throughout the northeast Alabama region. He frequently played with Pat Upton's band Headline to substantial crowds at Upton's bar, P.J.