Jeff grew up being exposed to the rich, indigenous music found on the radio and at home in Arlington, Texas. The older Schellhammer brohers (Jeff is the youngest of five) all played guitar. Jeff was content to leave it that way, focusing his attention on sports instead of music. Ironically, it would be his good natured athletic competitiveness that would lead him to becoming a musician. When a sports buddy pulled out a guitar to show off what he had been learning, the nineteen year old Jeff was spurred to see if he could surpass his team mate.
That's how Jeff's musical journey began, with a Gibson J50 '76 and the Grand Funk Railroad tune I'm Your Captain. Today he favors a Stratocaster and a variety of hard hitting blues tunes, notably those of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt and Delbert McClinton. All of these influences are evident in both his singing and guitar playing.
(For years, fans in Northwest Washington could hear Jeff with his trio Lone Star Rhythm at popular venues. But Jeff departed the region for his Texas Home in early 2004. added 04-23-04) Other bands you may have heard Schellhammer with include the Badd Dog Blues Society and the Johnny Brewer Band.
Whatever happened to the Schellhammer brothers who preceded Jeff on guitar? Mostly they have set music aside to pursue other goals, with the exception of one. Brent Schellhammer still plays guitar, he performed in the late 1970's and early 1980's in Big D...Whatever happened to the guitar playing jock who inspired Jeff to take up the guitar in the first place? Jeff never told me. I guess the games far from over and you know how competitive these sports guys can be!
(photo by Noona Walton, copyright 2002, all rights reserved)
