Porter Howell

Porter Howell recalls with a smile that his piano playing mom strongly encouraged young Porter to play the guitar. He participated in choir and a school pop band called PT Express. Future Little Texas band mate, Duane Propes, performed with a similar group at a crosstown rival high school. Through their respective teachers they heard about Belmont University in Nashville and moved there in the early 80s. They eventually met Tim Rushlow, Dwayne O’Brien, Del Gray and Brady Seals, forming Little Texas in 1988. Among the band’s hits, co-written by Porter, are “God Blessed Texas,” “Some Guys Have All the Love,” “What Might Have Been” and “I’d Rather Miss You.” The band had a hiatus but reunited in 2004, and celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2022. Porter continues to write both on his own and with others. He penned the sentimental “This Town Was” about how Nashville has changed over the years. Fun fact: Porter’s interview was the 1,000th captured by NAMM’s volunteer videographer, Suzanne Del Fiorentino.