Welcome back to another edition of Extremeguitars.com's "AX Facts & Stats"; the guitarist's SAT. In this segment, Brave New South's singer, song writer and, of course, lead guitarist Mike Estes, former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist (1993-96) was gracious enough to participate in our usual list of, or should I say "unusual" list of fill-in-the-blank bio facts & stats. -Dave Roberts
Copyright 2002 Dave Roberts/Extremeguitars.com, All Rights Reserved.

My name is: Mike Estes

My current job is: Guitarist, vocalist

My hometown: White Bluff, TN

My current album or project is: Too many to name! Former band(s): Helen Highwater, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Drivin' Sideways

My guitar influences growing up were: Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Eric Clapton

The guitars I use are: a reissue a '95 Gibson Les Paul Special, '59 Les Paul Jr, a custom made Telecaster given to me by Ed King, Gibson SST and J-200 acoustics.

The strings and tunings I use are: Gibson VR 10's on electric, Gibson Phosphor bronze 11's and 12's on acoustic. Mostly standard or dropped D tuning

My current rig setup consists of: a 30 watt Peavey classic, '67 Fender Super, a silver Deluxe, and various other old Fenders in the studio. Live, Peavey classic 50's or Classic 100 with a 4x12 cab with Celestion Vintage 30's, or a reissue Marshall Plexi 50 watt with that cab. I don't use effects except a little bit of the amp's 'verb, and a killer boss pedal tuner. Sometimes a phaser or an old MXR Dyna comp in the studio.

The greatest invention for guitars is: The flight case!

My normal song writing process: Starts with a melody or a hook, or maybe a guitar riff. I write the lyrics until I'm happy with them.

My favorite Mike Estes song is: "Me and the Devil Himself" (unreleased at this time).

My favorite Mike Estes solo is: The middle one in Snake Bit

My Career highlight is: meeting and playing with some of my favorite pickers.

My most embarrassing moment on stage: once with Skynyrd, my tech had my volume down on my neck pickup, cause I rarely used it live, and Gary came over before my solo on What's Your Name, and gave me a friendly shove, knocking the pickup switch to the Rhythm position, cutting off my solo. He DID apologize though!

The one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is: my new Boss TU 2 tuner

The first song I mastered on guitar: the G chord! My first guitar was: a Yamaha acoustic which I still have

The one thing most fans don't know about me is: I'm a good swimmer!

The best advise I could give beginning guitarists: Learn the neck best you can, write great songs and play hard with soul

The CD(s) I'm listening to right now: Steve Gaines "I Know a Little live" .

My 3 all-time favorite albums:
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Second Helping"
Steve Earle "Guitar Town"
The Legendary Hank Williams, Sr.
That's today anyway. It could change tomorrow!

I'm a sucker for: killer tone

If I could meet any ONE person living or dead, he would be: JEB Stuart

If I was a boxer, My boxing name would be: Mischief Mike Estes

My favorite junk food: Pretzels and Wow chips or Hot wings and tater skins

My biggest pet peeve: car trouble

The word or catch phrase i say way to much is: "Killer"

The hardest part of my job is: downtime

I knew I hit the "big time": I heard a song of mine on the radio

The worst job I ever had: Way too many to name

Right after this interview I'm going: to the car wash

My greatest regret is: I once sold a mint '68 ES 335 for 800 dollars.

The one musician I would love to work with, That I have not yet had the chance, would be: Richard Bennett

My greatest obsession: Bass fishin'

My first band was: 100 Proof

My next move is: To get out of this chair

The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is: The opportunity to write songs, have fun and see the world

The coolest toy I had growing up was a Slingshot

Check out my website at: www.bravenewsouth.com

If I could have three wishes, they would be: Mo' money, mo' money, and some mo' money!

I couldn't imagine being on the road without: boiled peanuts and chocolate milk

If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as: an Ad agent

My favorite movie ever: The Usual Suspects

My mission in life is: to write killer songs

_________________________________________________ Points of Interest: *Born: Michael George Estes 12-7- 63
*Mike's band Helen Highwater was named by Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins.
*Mike Estes endorses: Gibson Guitars, Gibson Strings, Peavey Amps, ART. Electronics, Seymour Duncan pickups, Svetlana Tubes, Renegade Headwear
*Brave New South was founded in the summer of '98 by vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Mike Estes.
*Mike Estes started his musical career playing piano in the fifth grade.
*Estes got his first electric, a cheap Silvertone, out of his neighbors' garbage can.
*Mike had struck up a friendship while in high school in 1982 with the guys in the Rossington Collins Band. EG.com: Thank you so much Mr. Mike Estes for being a part of Extremeguitars.com's "AX Facts & Stats". We at extremeguitars.com want to wish you and Brave New South the best of luck on your new release, "Mike Estes & Brave New South" and continued success! Be sure to check out WWW.BraveNewSouth.com for the latest tour updates, news, photos and much more! Make sure to check back for the next installment of ExtremeGuitars.com's "AX Facts & Stats" coming soon!
-Dave Roberts

All materials Copyright Dave Roberts, All Rights Reserved. All articles are available for use or reprint ONLY by Permission at dave@extremeguitars.com. www.Extremeguitars.com is the web home of all articles and interviews written by Dave "Hell Yeah!" Roberts. www.extremeguitars.com