Howie Kolb - Guitars (and craziness)

I have been playing guitar and bass on and off since I was 15 or so.  I have always been fascinated with music other than the mainstream.   All through high school it was Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, then on to Micheal Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen.  So while I can't play like any of these guys, they definitely have helped create my style.   I played bass in the Speed Core band called "Dethtoll" from the mid 80's to the early 90's.  We were very fortunate to be able to play A LOT of shows with some great national acts.   From there I went on to play in Social Decay where I was the lead guitarist and vocalist.  We also were able to play a lot of shows.   It was at that point I became very interested in recording music.  I spent about a 10 year period from 1995 - 2005 recording bands professionally.  I have owned or been a part owner of three commercial studios.  Playing guitar took a backseat.

In 2004, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and decided that my talent on guitar (no matter how small) should be used to help promote the Kingdom of Christ.  So I picked up the guitar and basically relearned how to play.  I started writing Christian music under Hbkolb.  I was very fortunate to find a vocalist named Micheal Nunley who is just a phenomenal singer.  He wrote the lyrics and sang on my songs "Down to the River", "Who Is This Man", and "Holy Ground".  Unfortunately he lived in TN, so I started a search in AZ for a singer that I could possibly do a Christian acoustic project with.  After about 8 weeks of false hopes and promises I was very depressed and felt GOD must have other plans for me.  I put the guitar down for almost 2 months.

That's when I got a call from Mike Basinger asking me to try out for their Christian rock and blues band.  I was like well, umm ok.  He warned me that they were a little older than me, I'm just a little boy at 42 ha ha.  So I went over there and these guys blew me away.  Extremely talented musicians and all had one goal, to serve and bring people to Jesus Christ.  Well I certainly don't compare to these guys as a musician but it must of been a GOD thing because (if I must say so myself) I tore it up at the audition.  They asked me to join right then and there.  It has truly changed my life.  It is an honor to play with my fellow band mates, who are now my family.

I would like to acknowledge and thank my WONDERFUL and beautiful wife, Colleen, and daughter, Sophia, for their sacrifices so I can serve the Lord with this band and ministry.  I love you both so so much.