Joshua Mather Catlett

Name: My name is Joshua Mather Catlett. I got the nickname "J-Riff" years ago though, and it's stuck. A lot of people call me that! It's sort of like my alter ego/stage name! I dig it..haha!

Age: I'm 32 years old. It's a good age. I'm not too old yet, I still go out and party and make memories and bad decisions. That's good stuff right?

Instrument: I play guitar. I got my first guitar for Christmas when I was ten years old. To be honest, I didn't even like it that much at first. Within a couple years though, I was obsessed!

Band/Former Bands: I've been in Banshee Child for a little over three years. We do straight-up original rock n roll. I've got three of the best bandmates in the world (Vince Heller, Matt Meredith, and Colin Yopp). We have gotten to play with so many killer musicians, both locally and on the national scene. We've been very blessed. Here's to hoping for many more years keeping the rock train going!

How long on instrument: 22 years on guitar. Man, it's a trip. It seems like the longer you play, the more you realize you’ve got a lot to learn. You take what you love from your heroes and you add your own thing to it and hope the people out there dig it!

Equipment: Oh this could take a while. I have A LOT of stuff. Mostly Fender/Gibson/PRS guitars. I have a Fender Supersonic combo that I'm usually playing through live these days, but sometimes I rock a Bogner Exctasy head, if I'm feeling fancy. I'm a PRS nut, anybody that knows me will tell ya that. I've actually been stopped in music stores and been asked "Hey, aren't you that PRS kid on Facebook?" It's funny, but true. I love talking gear with people. Feel free to say “hi” and nerd out with me.

Influences: So, I've got my classic rock guys, and my blues guys. Angus Young, Ted Nugent, Slash and Ace Frehley are all HUGE for me. In fact, it was AC/DC's album High Voltage that kind of started it all for me. I found that in my dad's CD collection when I was a young pup, and I was blown away. As for as the blues, Kenny Wayne Shepherd is my favorite guitarist and songwriter of all time. I worship that guy. Also dudes like Joe Bonamassa, Jonny Lang, and Davy Knowles are absolute beasts that inspire me.

My first gig: I was in a band years and years ago called Taking The Hit, and we played at the Wick's on Dixie (which is now called Khalil's). It was an awesome night. My dad usually comes to my shows, but he was out of town and my mother actually came. We did a ten-minute jam on “Voodoo Child,” and I remember her saying to me the next day "You were so good up there and it makes you happy. Never quit playing" That has stuck with me to this day.

Hobbies: I like craft beer a lot. Every once in a while I will go up to Liquor Barn and try to find something new to try. I'm also a diehard UK fan. I love sports!

Favorite movies: The Rocky movies are probably my favorite of all time. The Girl Next Door. Roadhouse. What about Bob? Comedy or action movies mainly.

Favorite food: Pizza. Beer. Put them together and that's a perfect night. Wick's pizza is one of my favorites.

Favorite place: Nashville and Vegas. I have two! Whenever anyone wants to go somewhere, I mention those. There's always so much to see and do, and you never know who you will run into!

Favorite sports or team: UK basketball is life. I even follow recruiting during the off season. I also am a fan of the Dallas Cowboys! That seems to make a lot of people upset, but bring it on!

What I'm listening to nowadays: Kenny Wayne Shepherd always stays in my rotation ( he's got a new album coming out on May 31 called The Traveler). I've been making more of an effort to check out local bands lately. I really like Mad Luck. AvantGardeDog's album was KILLER! There is so much talent in our music scene it's insane.

Coolest thing I've done: On a Vegas trip a few years ago I was playing video poker and managed to hit two royal flushes during my stay. I took that money and me and my dad went to Nashville and I bought a couple of guitars. A G&L Comanche, and an ES335 that I named Paris (the hotel I hit the Royal Flushes in). Recently, I got to meet the guys in Steel Panther thanks to a friend of mine. That was pretty epic as well.

Most embarrassing moment: Being a guy that doesn't have the best of hearing I have embarrassing moments all the time! If I smile and nod, chances are I probably did NOT hear you. On stage, I've had an incident where I didn't wrap my cable and my signal went in and out a few times. It wasn't as embarrassing as frustrating. Fellow guitarists will feel my pain!

Bad Habits: I'm a friendly guy. I probably trust people too easily because I'm always wanting to see the good in everyone. I'm also pretty impulsive. If I want something, I just gotta have it or just gotta do it. Life's short, live large, right?

What was your first concert ever: My dad and I went to see Bachman Turner Overdrive on the waterfront. I was probably about 12 years old. I think Skynyrd was the following year at 13. I owe a lot to my old man. He is the reason I started playing guitar, and he introduced me to a lot of music.

19.If you could meet a Rockstar (past or present), who would it be, and why: That is tough! Obviously I'd like to meet Kenny Wayne Shepherd. He's my favorite of all time. He's coming to Louisville in August with Buddy Guy. Stevie Ray or Jimi Hendrix would be way up on the list too.

Who do you love: My biggest love is for the 9-5ers, the dreamers, the romantics, the underdogs of the world, and those that never give up. That is what inspires me the most in this world we live in. I've always said, I can deal with failure, but I can't deal with not giving 110% to everything that I do. Live each day as if it were your last. Always tell your friends and family that you love them. Be grateful. These are powerful words and will change your life if put into action.