By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Even though Skyler Humphrey has graduated and now attends West Virginia University, Trip S, a classic rock band from Parsons continues to perform and has quickly becoming a favorite band in the area.
“I am in Morgantown and studying energy and land management,” Skyler said. “I chose WVU because I love the area and my uncle lives here. It is such a nice place.”
He said he thinks being in Morgantown will give him the opportunity to for music.
“There is more people, more venues and more music,” Skyler said.
At the Tucker County High School graduation this year, Skyler performed the National Anthem on his electric guitar.
“I did a Jimi Hendrix style like he did at Woodstock,” Skyler said. “I was hoping it would not offend people and was glad that everyone said they liked it.”
Skyler said he got started playing music around 4th or 5th grade.
“Rob Masten was my band teacher and he started me on the drums,” Skyler said. “I was the drummer originally and then in 5th and 6th grade, he handed me a guitar and showed me some cords and how to strum. From then on, I felt that was my passion. I felt I wanted to be good at playing the guitar.”
His parents Sam and Angie Humphrey bought him his first guitar.
“Rob would show me a few things and without him, I would not be a musician,” Skyler said. “I owe a lot to him.”
Skyler said he let the guitar sit for about a year, said since he picked it back up, he has been learning and practicing.
“I have learned so much on my own, and now I am developing my own style,” Skyler said. “I did a lot of research.”
Skyler said he started his little brother, Shane Humphrey, on bass guitar when he was in 8th grade. Shane is currently a sophomore at Tucker County High School.
“He would always listen to me and when I started him on the bass, I showed him this one bass line riff from the song ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ by Pink Floyd,” he said. “Once he learned that he fell in love with music and just took off. He is far better than I ever thought he would be and he is even playing guitar.”
The final member of Triple S, Seth Dotson has always played drums because his father, Frank, plays drums. He is a junior at Tucker County High School this year.
“His father had three or four drum kits, so he grew up around the drums,” Skyler said. “His dad taught him everything he knows and I have heard him (Seth’s father) say multiple times Seth is better than he is now.”
Skyler said last year in the spring, Rob Masten knew Seth played drums and knew Skyler and Shane were interested in forming a band.
“Rob basically put us together and asked us if we would play some songs at the school,” Skyler said. “We practiced a few times and then played at the school. After that, he had a theme night of ‘Led Zeppelin night over at El Gran Sabor in Elkins. We went over and played two songs and the response from the crowd was overwhelming. We just fell in love with that feeling and took it from there. We started getting more gigs and learning more songs. Rob plays with us when he can and Bo McMillon plays with us a well.”
Skyler said he and Shane have a musical background as well.
“My grandmother Doris Kisamore sang gospel music and played the piano,” Skyler said. “My great grandfather played guitar. He and my grandmother and aunts were on the radio a few times on Sunday morning shows. They also played at gospel music shows around the area.”
Skyler said Triple S has played quite a few places lately including in Thomas for Mountaineer Days, last Saturday in Canaan Valley for Brew Skies and in Parsons for the Friday Music in the Park.
“We will be playing at the Tucker County Fair at Camp Kidd beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday,” Skyler said. “We hope folks will come out to enjoy hearing us. We have picked up another guitar player Tyler Bolyard.”
Skyler said Triple S plays classic rock including Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Doors and the Rolling Stones.
“We also play some southern and modern rock,” he said. “We have been working on original songs. We have four solid originals right now and we are working on a lot more. Hopefully, we can come up with two or more original songs and come out with an EP.”
Additional information about Triple S is available on their Facebook page.
“We hope people will go on and like our Facebook site,” Skyler said. “We can be reached by calling 304-648-5720.”