Extended Weekend Getaways By Lisa Rhoden / Places to Go Editor
What a great pleasure it is for me! These past few weeks have been amazing for me to get to do up-close and personal interviews with such talented people! It will be such a privilege to hear them all together tonight at the Wyandot County Fair in Upper Sandusky Ohio! The next member I would love to give a big shout out to Mr. JT Lanker (who also is an amazing, talented singer, and songwriter). Below is the next article that The Weekender Extended would love to feature: JT Lanker and his life as becoming a musician.
“I think I was born with music in my blood, My dad (Joe Lanker) and his band and my Uncle Rex Rhoden were huge influences in my young life. We always had music around us!! By the time I was about three, I had a guitar in my hand and staring at a mic, Although my chords and vocals weren’t entirely in key at that age, my parents gave me praise and support. On school nights I’d sneak up and watch YouTube videos and practice my guitar and songs until about 3 or 4 in the morning. Then one day I was good enough to start playing a little with my dad on stage and I got a deeper yearning to learn more in order.to get better.
At 16, I started my own band, “the Crossroads Band. ” It is a four-piece band consisting of Brandon Picket, drums; Jacosa Way, bass guitar; Hunter Hoop, rhythm guitar; and myself, lead guitar. We had a lot of fun playing small venues and bars. After a while, the band went its own way and I ended up playing lead guitar and singing for my dads band, “The Backroads Band.”
I love what I do, I love the old country (some new as Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan) singers Waylon Jennings being my favorite. I even got me a Waylon Jennings guitar. My good friend and I went on the road playing with Waylon Jennings’ grandson, Whey Jennings, for a short while. That was an experience!
I love what I do – I’m just a young outlaw guitar-slingin’ singer who loves playing with anyone, anywhere. That’s what music is about – whether it’s onstage, sitting around a campfire, or in a basement. Music is my passion! I always wanted that fire my Uncle Rex had on guitar and I think I’ve got it – that stage presence my dad has … it’s contagious. And I think I’ve got that too – it’s all about what’s in the heart, and giving people what they want, good music and entertainment!”
Thank you, JT, for taking the time to do this for us. You are an amazing and talented man. You, like your Dad, have such a talent and your music is an inspiration to us all. Keep up the great work, and chase your dream!