As a young boy, Brian’s Father taught him just a few chords on a guitar, but it wasn’t until Brian first heard Joe Maphis blazing along with his flying fingers on his Mosrite guitar that Brian decided then and there, “Wow, I’m gonna play the guitar just like THAT someday;  ‘cause THAT’s how I want to be able to play a guitar !”  After that, by his choice, ALL his spare time, every minute, was spent tucked away in the bedroom that he shared with his Brother Phil playing and playing and playing Joe Maphis records over and over and over while practising, practising and practising until he had perfected the Maphis style and could play like Joe nearly note-for-note.

Remember now, this  is with NO guitar teacher, NO “How To” books or videos, NO computers and before anyone had even heard of the word “internet”.  Just a few chords taught to him by his Father and his determination to perfect his guitar playing was all he needed to give him the drive and commitment to continue to perfect his style.  And it paid off….   After winning a talent contest which earned him air-time on K  F O X radio out of Los Angeles, Irby Mandrell heard Brain on the radio.  Irby then was able to contact Brian's Mother and asked if Brian would like to come and play lead guitar for his daughter, Barbara.  The reply was, "YES, he will!"  Brian had never heard the name "Mandrell" and did not realize that this would be a huge turning point in his life and the events regarding his future.   His mother spent much of her time getting up at all hours of the night to get Brian to and from the bus station so he could hook-up with the Mandrell's to tour from city to city.  During this time, in between attending school and the study that goes along with that, Brian’s time was spent touring from show to show with Barbara Mandrell and family. I don’t know many people (anyone for that matter) who can say they spent a portion of their teenage days flying in by helicopter to Viet-Nam during the heat of war, following the Bop Hope Tour, visiting and performing for the brave young men lying maimed and wounded in their hospital beds (many of whom would not live to ever return home to their families and friends due to the sacrifice they made for us and for our Country).  Can you imagine performing and managing to keep an upbeat attitude knowing that many of these men would never make it back home??  Both Barbara and Brian shed many tears during this time (after their performances of course). During his high school years Brian managed to find some time in between school and touring to drag race and spend time with his brothers at Lyon’s Dragstrip and other drag strips which are now long gone.  (Barbara also was able spend some of her time with Brian watching him race).  Brian has always been a perfectionist and drag racing was no exception – he took on, and beat, many challengers with the various hot rods (all Mopars) he had during this time! Then came the draft, so Brian left the Mandrell's to serve his duty to our Country.  After leaving the Army, Brian and his "Sounds of Country" band toured up and down the California coast, performing at the many military bases which existed at that time.     Later, Brian took his band to Japan where they performed for an extended period of time.