"I realize now that success isn't always measured by the bottom line in your checkbook. I consider myself successful in that I can make a living playing music. I have been fortunate."
So how did Scott get his start? Growing up in Akron, Ohio, he picked up the guitar at age 16...a bit "old" by some standards, but it didn't take him long to get in the game. Shortly after that, his family moved to San Antonio, Texas (then later to Dallas), where he started trying out his guitar skills in local bands. Like many guitarists his age, he was greatly influenced by Shrapnel Records artists such as: Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine, Michael Lee Firkins, Yngwie Malmsteen, and others.
When Texas guitarist Derek Taylor heard rumor of Scott's guitar prowess, he went to see Scott play in a local Dallas band. So impressed by his performance, Derek invited him to form a band, Tommy Lamey, which began playing the Dallas club scene in 1990 and created a loyal following of fans. Together, he and Scott competed in the Ibanez/Tascam/Guitar Center "Jam with Paul Gilbert" guitar contest and won first and second place respectively.
In early 1993, Tommy Lamey were signed to Shrapnel Records based on what Mike Varney considered "their instrumental playing abilties alone." The lineup went through a re-arrangement that prompted Scott to fill in on bass. The band name was changed to Crimeny and "Peat" was released and generated buzz in the music community. Derek and Scott subsequently released solo albums. Scott's album, "Broke" was received very well in the instrumental guitar world. "Broke" cracked the top 40 on the import charts in Japan and was followed up by a radio interview on "Instrumentals of Rock". Just as things were looking good, they started to get bad. In 1994, instrumental guitar music - and especially music on "7-string guitars", was just not what was popular.
Scott wasn't willing to hang up the 7-string just yet. His brother Brett chose to pursue another path of music, so Scott took his place in yet another Shrapnel band, Haji's Kitchen. By this time, the style was being recognized a little more so Scott and Haji's guitarist Eddie Head landed an Ibanez guitar Endorsement for the 7-string guitar and traveled the country doing clinics. But even still, it wasn't enough for commercial success.
Meanwhile, Derek Taylor was working on his next project, Eniac Requium, and enlisted the talent of Scott and his brother Brett to record for this album.
During 1997, Scott was playing in the local cover band, "Tropix", or as he (and the band) referred to it: "the money gig". Shrapnel Records then invited him to California to record on an album for John West. Scott continued to play around town with Tropix and sharpened his reading and improv skills. In January of 2000, Scott was offered a position of Instrumental Music Director at his church in Plano. While working at Grace Community Church, he has been a part of three worship recordings. Matt Williams at Liquid Note Records approached Scott in 2002 to request his participation in the compilation CD "The Alchemists"
