Biography
Paul Spradlin traces his first contact with electric guitars to a moment on wet tundra when contact with the instrument sent a jolt through him that flung buns across his forehead. Beginning at age eight he repeatedly begged his parents for an instrument that would recreate the experience. Some listeners who have endured jam-band concerts by Goose Creek Symphony lasting two hours or longer have voiced the opinion that death by electrocution would have been preferable, although loyal followers of the group reject that view outright.
On the earliest Goose Creek Symphony releases Spradlin appeared under the name Paul Howard. He had started out playing saxophone in school while also taking up steel guitar and French horn. Professional work began in 1967 when he toured the United States with a Sears Silvertone electric guitar and formed a band that included Cory Wells, later one of the three lead vocalists in Three Dog Night. After moving to Phoenix, Spradlin met Charlie Gearheart in spring 1968; the pair launched what became Goose Creek Symphony. Capitol signed the group in 1970, after which it toured steadily while members came and went. Based in Nashville, Spradlin stepped away from music for the length of the band’s hiatus between 1976 and 1990.
On the earliest Goose Creek Symphony releases Spradlin appeared under the name Paul Howard. He had started out playing saxophone in school while also taking up steel guitar and French horn. Professional work began in 1967 when he toured the United States with a Sears Silvertone electric guitar and formed a band that included Cory Wells, later one of the three lead vocalists in Three Dog Night. After moving to Phoenix, Spradlin met Charlie Gearheart in spring 1968; the pair launched what became Goose Creek Symphony. Capitol signed the group in 1970, after which it toured steadily while members came and went. Based in Nashville, Spradlin stepped away from music for the length of the band’s hiatus between 1976 and 1990.
Albums