Hello! I'm Todd Bazzell -- bass guitarist for The Gentry. My dad plays guitar, so as a young boy growing up in Ada, OK, I was often found trying to find chords on Dad's six-string. Then one day he came home with a bass guitar -- and I've not been the same since. My parents -- and the neighbors -- were tolerant of the noise! After a lot of practicing and becoming more proficient, I began to play at church, where I learned more by playing along with the hymns. The congregation was also very tolerant. When enrolling in 6th grade band at school, I decided to play percussion; but several years later, in jazz band, I opted for bass instead of drums. I'll never regret that decision. While I studied percussion for most of my time in public school, bass began to be my instrument of choice.

When I started college in the fall of 1987, music fell to the back burner for a while. Although there was a brief stint with a Top 40 rock band called Anonymous Caller, in which I played drums, music was not much more than a pleasant distraction from school. In the spring of 1991, I graduated from college with a degree in Business Admin (Economics), and once again music seemed to call. I picked up the bass and joined a southern gospel group called Saved. Various bands and gigs followed through the years.

During this time, I met my wife Kerri at a concert. After our first date, I knew she was special. One year and two months later, we were married. Then along came our little ones, Laura and Collin. We have a lot of fun going on hikes and riding bikes. And yes, my family is very tolerant of the noise . . . . .

Through The Gentry's drummer, Mike Brown (he and I are cousins), I became acquainted with Ron, Terry, James and Jim, the original founding members of the group. I have a great time backing these guys in concert and have learned a great deal from them. They share my passion for good music -- as well as a good place to eat!

For those of you who like the technical stuff, my main instruments are a 1997 Warwick Thumb Bolt-On (5 string) and a 1990 Fender P-bass Plus. The Fender is modified with BassLines active P/J pickups, a brass nut and a Hipshot D'tuner. For strings, I use medium light GHS Super Steels on the Fender and D'Addario Prisms on the Warwick. I rarely use my amp (Ampeg B2R). I usually go direct into the board, live and in the studio. I like the bass sound to be clean and straightforward with no effects.

My bass heroes are Leland Sklar, Teddy Gentry (Alabama), and Mario Cippolina (Huey Lewis and The News). I also have a great deal of respect for Jimmy Johnson (James Taylor). What I admire about these guys is their ability to play "pocket"; solid, no-nonsense bass lines. And when you get right down to it, there is little better than a plate of barbeque and a solid bass line!