1. Biggest Influence(s)?

Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Townes van Zandt, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis. And then there's Steve Earle, Dave Alvin, Springsteen, James McMurtry. Hemingway  

2. Favourite records/tracks old or new?

Tough one. Here's some great ones in no particular order.
Dylan - Time Out Of Mind,
Springsteen -The Ghost Of Tom Joad,
Johnny Cash - Solitary Man,
Dave Alvin - Blackjack David,
John Hiatt - Crossing Muddy Waters
Townes van Zandt - Abnormal
Gillian Welch - Revival
Steve Earle - I Feel Alright  

3. What would you be if not a musician?

I studied to be an English teacher and I work as a journalist on the side.  

4. Career high point so far?

Opening for Townes van Zandt, closing a great Bob Dylan tribute at the Folklife Festival in Seattle in 2005, recording with some great musicians in Nashville. Looking forward to playing the Bluebird Café in February.

5. Perfect night off?   

Reading a good book or seeing a good movie or just hanging out with my best friends ... or of course with my girlfriend.    

6. Most recent CD in your CD player?  

Been enjoying the new Jerry Lee Lewis album "Last Man Standing" and the Tom Waits "Orphans" collection.  

7. Favourite book/film?

I can't name just one. But The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger, Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry, Preston Falls by David Gates, Joe by Larry Brown and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee would be real high on the list.
Movies I'll also go with Last Picture Show by Peter Bogdanovich, Scorsese's Godfather movies, Boys Don't Cry by Kimberley Pierce, Billy Bob Thornton's Slingblade and those wonderful Christopher Guest movies Mighty Wind, Best In Show etc.  

8. Whiskey - Jack or Jim?

Believe it or not but I've never in my life even tried either of the two.