After enjoying a set from Lorrie Morgan during the 2015 Darryl Worley Tennessee River Run Concert, I had a chance to speak with Morgan's lead guitar player, Todd Woolsey.
.In a small community north of Ontario, Canada, a young Woolsey, the son of a preacher, would sneak out to his friend's house to listen to KISS. Those late nights shaped Woolsey’s music style. They also inspired him to make an oath to only make money by playing music when he grew older.
After graduating high school, Woolsey attended the University of Alberta and earned a degree in Jazz. After multiple rejections at auditions for rock groups in his area, Woolsey turned to one of his country music friends for advice. His friend gave him a CD with multiple country songs to learn and the first one he mastered was “Country Boy” by Ricky Skaggs. Woolsey admits now it was a difficult song to play but at the time just thought it was what everyone could play.
After trying out some of his newfound country songs in gigs everyone was impressed that he could play those fast country riffs after just a few weeks of practice.
“Ignorance is bliss,” Woolsey laughingly said about how quickly he developed his musical skills.
Woolsey developed a love and appreciation for country music. He then began touring across Canada playing in live bars six nights a week. Woolsey got his big break in late 1999 when he was asked to tour with country star Tracy Lawrence. He then went on to tour with the likes of Trick Pony, Collin Raye, Joe Nichols, Tanya Tucker, Lee Ann Womack, and Jamie O’Neal.
More than 16 years later, Woolsey still continues his touring and even has his own solo album out available on Itunes.
“I love being on the road and I still love music. The artists I've played with make you think country, but my real passion is rock and blues,” Woolsey said. “This comes true in the tunes I write and the way I naturally play guitar when left to my own devices. This is really where I want to be in life,” Woolsey added..
