For me as a bass player, that makes the process especially interesting. Instead of reproducing somebody else's bass line, I can create a part that works with Sam's drums while complementing the guitars and vocals. Sometimes the bass simply provides the foundation; at other times it can become a melodic part of the arrangement.

The band's two very different vocal and guitar approaches also give the music plenty of variety. Jeremy brings an expressive, roots-influenced quality to the songs, while Matt adds a harder electric-guitar edge. Rob's lead guitar adds another layer, ranging from melodic passages to more powerful rock solos, while Sam and I provide the rhythm section underneath it all.

After more than five decades of playing bass, I still find it exciting to walk into a rehearsal with the beginnings of a song and hear it gradually develop as five musicians contribute their own ideas. There is a particular satisfaction in eventually taking that song onto a stage and performing something that we created ourselves.

Flight Risk represents where I am musically today. I'm still playing, still rehearsing, still performing — but, perhaps most importantly, I'm still creating new music!

And after all these years, that's a pretty good place to be.

Visit the Flight Risk website