Earl Coy
What's your full name?
My full name is Earl Coy

Where's home for you?
Home to me is sunny Las Vegas. Even though it does have the "Sin City" moniker, most of the locals
whether saved or not are not really thrilled about the nickname!

Tell us about your musical journey--when did you get into music and who would you name as your top musical influences?
I had always had an interest in music from a young age. I started playing the trumpet in grade school and played it for several years. When I was 15, I meta friend who was a rippin' guitar player who inspired me to start playing. I started practicing on an old acoustic guitar teaching myself how to play. The only problem was at the the time, I latched onto the bass lines!  I started to teach myself to play by ear from Rush's 'Moving Pictures' album, and believe or not, the Go-Go's "Beauty and the Beat" album (Love their first album to this day!), Van Halen, Yes and Iron Maiden to name a few. Steve Harris of Iron Maiden was a big influence on my bass playing style at the time, which in fact, prompted me to sell my trumpet and buy a Japanease P-bass copy. I was able to compare the bass to a friend of mines actual P-bass years later - other than the headstock, a near perfect copy! Being left handed, it was a big deal be able to get that bass. Up until that time, I had been playing re-strung right handed instruments. Playing re-strung instruments was always uncomfortable and had other problems. Yet another reason to appreciate Hendrix!

I've played in umpteen bands and projects over a course the years. I joined the military in the late 80's and that was also when/where I was introduced to Christ. In the very early 90's I played bass in my first Christian rock band (power trio) which was a completely different band experience than I had at that point. Gone where were the ego's, the worry of record deals - there was a purpose bigger than us, and desire to just make good music.

In the mid to late 90's I started playing more guitar and helped start a Christian rock band with a friend of mine. It was a totally new experience in that although it was a power trio, I was the guitar player and singer! It was a completely new experience to be in that role and I learned a lot of "what not to do's", as your errors stick out like a sore thumb! The band put out a CD and played together for 6 years and was even the 'house band' for a theatrical production of "Godspell". Since the band broke up, I have focused my attention on recording my music as 'Force of One'.

Do you have any hobbies/passions besides music?
My other hobbies include weightlifting (I'm not huge, I'm just trying to stay ahead of the pizza's and twinkies I eat!) Riding motorcycles (although I sold my bike recently) and my work...yes I know it sounds weird. I have the kind of job where I find many aspects of it interesting and joyful enough to carry into my personal time. Without it eating into my family life, of course!

Tell us a little bit about your music projects and where we can check 'em out?
Currently I have six songs posted on SOUNDCLICK, which is my first outing as 'Force of One'. Currently, I'm working on a second CD project to be released sometime before my retirement! Actually, I'm busy personally and I try to record when I can, which is tough sometimes. I'm also working on collaborations with other friends that I hope to include on the project.