The music business is a tough proposition at the best of times, no matter what part of it you happen to work in.
So for a musician to give up a sure thing, in order to play his own music, it has to be one of the toughest moves one can make.
For an artist to leave the comfort of steady industry- related employment, he must feel he is on to a sure thing. Such is the case with Atlanta-based guitarist Sam Holt and his group, Outformation.
Currently on tour working out material for their upcoming second album, Outformation performs at Winston’s on Wednesday, July 4.
The group’s music covers a lot of bases. Rock, country, prog and even touches of New Orleans rhythm can be heard on their tunes.
The group cites influences such as The Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa and even Waylon Jennings, but their sound is uniquely their own.
It’s Holt’s signature guitar lines, at the forefront of the group’s melodies, which gives their sound an edge.
Holt spent seven years as a member of Widespread Panic’s road crew, working as guitarist Michael Houser’s guitar tech. Houser was taken with his six-string prowess, encouraging Holt to strike out on his own when the timing was right.
He formed Outformation as a part-time endeavor, but when Houser passed away in 2002, Holt made the decision to finally take a chance on his own music in a full-time capacity. Settling on a six-man lineup, including keyboardist CR Gruver, percussionist Jeff “Birddogg” Lane, bassist Grady Upchurch and drummer Lee Schwartz, the band was instantly embraced by fans of his employer’s band.
In 2005, Outformation released their debut album, “Tennessee by Daylight.” That same year the band took home “Best New Band” honors in the annual competition sponsored by Honest Tune magazine. Though the album was a regional success, further promotion was prevented by Holt’s duties as a guitar tech.
Only able to perform between his employer’s tour dates and rehearsals or late after their shows, it was thought Outformation’s days were numbered when he took over lead guitar duties with Widespread Panic during their summer tour of 2006.
With his long history as part of the band’s road crew, Holt was a logical choice to join them full time, with many fans assuming he was their newest member.
Instead, his time onstage with the headliners made Holt realize how much he wanted to pursue his own musical vision.
In March 2007 it was announced that he was leaving the organization to devote time to Outformation. While the move shocked longtime followers, it also showed just how much belief Holt had in his own music.
Though we’ve barely hit the year’s midpoint, Outformation already finds themselves on their fourth tour, with nearly a dozen new songs in their repertoire.
Determined to make it, the band is setting up a relentless schedule, that will have them criss-crossing the U.S. indefinitely in a bid to take their music to a wider audience. If Holt doesn’t reach the upper echelons of the music biz, it won’t be from lack of trying.
Outformation’s show should appeal to anyone who enjoys jam band grooves or sterling guitar fretwork.
Considering the band’s pedigree and the talent of the players involved, it’s likely that they will outgrow small venues, such as Winston’s quickly.
Though, for the moment, they remain very much in the shadow of their mentors, Widespread Panic, it’s clear that relatively intimate shows such as this one won’t be possible for long.
Outformation perform at Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., on Wednesday July 4.
For more information, visit www.winstonsob.com.