The Beauty of Musical Partnership
Over the course of my life in music, one thing has become clear to me: collaboration is where the magic happens. Sure, solo moments have their place, and I love playing on my own. But the real joy, the real growth, comes from sharing the stage—and the creative process—with other musicians.
Every artist I’ve worked with has brought something different to the table. Sometimes it was a new sound or approach, other times it was a mindset, a rhythm, or even a lesson I didn’t know I needed to learn. From jam bands to jazz cats, soul singers to folk storytellers, I’ve been lucky to play alongside people who have not only inspired me but also helped shape who I am as a musician and a person.
Early Lessons: Band Du Jour and Finding My Voice
Back in the early ‘90s, I was part of Band Du Jour, a funky, soulful Colorado-based band that gave me one of my first real tastes of life on the road. Those guys were full of energy, full of ideas, and full of heart. We weren’t afraid to mix styles—soul, rock, reggae, blues—you name it, we tried it.
We played countless gigs together, toured overseas on a DOD trip, and learned how to work as a unit. That experience taught me how to listen more deeply, how to be generous in my playing, and how to respond to what the music—and my bandmates—needed in the moment.
Playing with Band Du Jour also helped me understand that the keyboard could be a lead voice or a subtle support system depending on the song. That flexibility has stayed with me ever since.
The Derek Trucks Band: A Masterclass in Musicianship
In 1995, I joined the Derek Trucks Band as their lead singer and keyboardist, and that was a massive turning point in my musical life. Derek was young, but already on another level—his touch, his tone, and his musical instincts were just remarkable.
Touring and recording with Derek for five years was like earning a degree in soul, blues, and improvisation. We shared the stage with icons like Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, and Col. Bruce Hampton, and every show was a lesson in presence and musical honesty.
From Derek, I learned the importance of playing from a deep emotional place. He didn’t need to show off. He played with intention, restraint, and a quiet power that always moved the room. That rubbed off on me in a big way. I learned to let the music breathe, to trust the groove, and to dig deep for every note.
Leftover Salmon: Blending Roots and Jam
Joining Leftover Salmon in 2000 brought me into the world of jamgrass—something totally new to me at the time. It was a collision of bluegrass instrumentation, rock energy, and jam band exploration. At first, I wasn’t sure how the Hammond B3 organ and piano would fit into that acoustic-heavy landscape. But the guys in Salmon welcomed me in and gave me the space to find my voice within their sound.
Over a decade with the band, I played hundreds of shows, wrote songs, and learned how to blend into a mix where mandolin, banjo, and fiddle were front and center. It made me a better listener, a more careful arranger, and a more creative player.
From Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt, I learned how to loosen up and have fun on stage, how to keep the energy high without losing focus, and how to trust in the power of the audience to carry the music further.
Family Ties: The McKay Brothers
No collaboration has been more personal—or more rewarding—than the music I make with my brother John as the McKay Brothers. John is a gifted songwriter with a real knack for storytelling, and working with him grounds me in a way no other project does.
When we play together, it’s not about the flash. It’s about honesty, melody, and connection. We pull from folk, country, and blues traditions, and there’s something timeless about that. Playing with John reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place—to connect, to share, to express something real.
New Sounds, Old Souls
More recently, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some fantastic musicians in bands like Steely Dead and the Very Jerry Band. These groups blend classic material from artists like Steely Dan and the Grateful Dead with fresh interpretations and fearless musicianship.
Working with Dave Hebert and the rest of the crew in these projects has been a blast. They push me creatively and give me room to bring the Hammond organ into new, unexpected spaces. It’s a reminder that even after all these years, I’m still growing, still learning, and still falling in love with music in new ways.
The Takeaway
Looking back, I can see how every collaboration—every shared solo, every backstage laugh, every jam session gone right or off the rails—has taught me something.
I’ve learned to trust others, to trust myself, and to always listen more than I speak. I’ve learned that music isn’t a competition—it’s a conversation. The best players I’ve worked with have been the ones who serve the song, support the group, and leave their egos at the door.
I’m grateful for every musician who’s crossed my path. Each one has left a mark on my sound, my spirit, and my journey. And the beautiful thing about music is that there’s always another collaboration waiting around the corner.
As long as I’m still playing, I’ll keep learning—from the people beside me on stage, from the songs we sing, and from the grooves we chase together.