Content area
Full Text
"I LIKE PLAYING THE ROOTS," ADMITS Sean Hurley, whose team temperament and early development has led to a somewhat unsung but highly successful career. First gaining prominence as the bassist in Vertical Horizon via that band's 2000 breakout smash, "Everything You Want," Hurley has made his mark in L.A, co-writing Robin Thicke's hit, "Lost Without U" (covered by Marcus Miller on his 2008 CD, Marcus), while maintaining a hefty pace as a studio doubler with everyone from Ringo Starr and Annie Lennox to Miley Cyrus and Colbie Caillât. In addition, Hurley has been grabbing ears as John Mayer and drummer Steve Jordan's groove go-between on the superstar singersongwriter's last three world tours.
Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on September 23rd, 1973, Hurley was raised on radio rock and took up saxophone in the 4th grade. At 11, he saw a local cover band and became enthralled with the bass player, who, upon learning of his interest, began teaching him. A devout student, Hurley learned reading and harmony on "an SG-shaped Hagstrom," while soaking up the influences of AC/DC and Rush. By 14, he was in demand in town bands for his big ears; he also began teaching bass at the music store where he worked. Meanwhile, he "got hip to Jaco, McCartney, Jamerson, and Sheehan," bought a Fender P-Bass, played in the school jazz band, and began teaching himself upright. Turning 16, Sean met Arlo Guthrie's son on a club gig, leading to a summer tour with the senior Guthrie. Upon graduation, Hurley headed to the Berklee College of Music for a semester. He replaced Matt Garrison in the school's Yellowjackets ensemble, before Guthrie beckoned again with a national tour and live recording.
Hurley returned to Boston after the stint, settling into the blues club scene. There, he heard about and successfully auditioned for Vertical Horizon, in early 1998. Another blues connection, guitarist Bobby Keyes, began bringing Sean out to L.A. to write and record with Robin Thicke. By 2000, with the breakout of Vertical Horizon and regular Thicke sessions, Hurley moved to Los Angeles. Thicke engineer Bill Malina started recommending him to other producers in town. With Horizon's less successful 2003 follow-up CD leading to less road gigs, Sean worked his way up to 12-hour...