Amos Heller is the world-famous musician who got his start right here in Charlottesville, graduating from Charlottesville High School. Since a young age, he’s perfected his craft, going from playing in CHS’s orchestra to playing in sold-out stadiums weekly on “The Eras Tour” years later. Ever since he’d been in Middle School, he always aspired and dreamed of playing professionally. Throughout high school and college, he was in many small bands before he finally landed himself in Taylor’s band around 2007. In this interview he talks about his influences, what pushed him to pursue music, and some special advice to any aspiring musicians at CHS.

• What pushed you to pursue music?

“Music was a constant in my life from the time I joined the orchestra at Walker.  I played classical upright through my freshman year of college, but while I was at CHS I also discovered metal and played in a thrash band.  I fell in love with performing, whether it was a concert with the CHS Chamber Orchestra or a basement show with my metal band.  I was in bands all through college and after, and the dream of playing professionally was always with me.” 

• What was your experience like at CHS?

“CHS is such a remarkable place. I had a great experience there.  I know lots of folks who come from high schools with pretty narrow demographics, and I love having the experience of coming from a place with lots of different types of people.  It was pretty easy to find a tribe, or make your own.  I played in metal bands, I was on the wrestling team (definitely do not go look in the mat room), I was in the orchestra, and I think I ran track for an entire week.  I had a great group of friends, and great teachers.”

• Were there any hardships that you went through, or any funny or happy moments that really pushed you to continue to do what you loved?

“Another thing that I came to realize in the years since I graduated is just how amazing the music programs at CHS are.  My director, Mrs. Thomas had very high standards for our performances, and we would travel and compete against other orchestras.  It was almost like doing another sport.  We came home with a lot of trophies, and it was energizing to be a part of something that left an impression everywhere we went.  It was my first experience with how powerful it can be just to be around other people who are great at what they do, and how much that lifts your own commitment and approach.”

• What type of influences did you have?

“As far as influences, the older I get the more I collect.  I’m a fan of bass players like Cliff Burton of Metallica, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mike Dirnt from Green Day and Victor Wooten from Béla Fleck & The Flecktones.  In a broader sense I love listening to Peter Gabriel, Vulfpeck, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles”

• Was there any specific moment in your life that changed the trajectory of your career?

“The single biggest choice I made to further my pursuit of music was moving to Nashville.  As I said above, there is so much value in just being around people who are doing what you want to do at a high level.  You start to absorb their approach, their wisdom, their vocabulary, even their choice of gear.  I found so many folks who went out of their way to help me when I was brand new in town with a lot to learn.  I had people I could watch and admire, and learn from their experiences, watch their performances, and listen to their stories & legends.”

• Were there any important pieces of advice that really helped you either in high school or throughout your career?

“I don’t think I encountered this until I moved to Nashville to pursue music in 2005, but: If you choose to pursue music, you truly get out what you put in.  If you show up to rehearsals early, with working gear and the material committed firmly to memory, ready to contribute ideas and serve the song, you’ll get busy and stay that way.  I know a lot of folks who have lost great gigs because they started not taking it seriously.  Playing music professionally is a lot of fun, but the fun comes after the work.  Sometimes there is a LOT of work.”

• How did you book the job you have now?

“Almost every call I have gotten in Nashville is off of a personal connection or recommendation. I believe I got this call because I was already friends with a few people in the band, including the bass player, and they believed I would be a good fit.”

• What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?

“There have been a lot of peak moments in this job, I’m happy to say.  I have played some legendary venues, seen places I never thought I would visit, and been on TV more times than I can count.  To be honest, being part of the Eras Tour is huge for me; it’s a long and demanding show with a lot of different types of music, it’s been amazingly successful, and coming back like this after the pandemic has made everything so much sweeter.”

• What was your “I made it” moment?

“I don’t know if I’ve ever had an experience like playing Saturday Night Live with Taylor in 2009.  I grew up watching the show and it remained such a cultural force for so long.  To be honest, sometimes being on TV is a little weird and stressful, but when we played SNL I stayed in a place of wonder pretty much the whole weekend.  I was literally playing the show and watching myself on a monitor thinking “Kurt Cobain stood right here.” 

• What’s your favorite thing about being a musician?

“I honestly like that when you pursue an art, you’re never “done”.  There’s no way one human brain can hold all of music, and so you live a whole life inside of this pursuit.  You have phases, loves, breakups, victories, defeats and epiphanies.  You make breakthroughs, you find new challenges, new frontiers, new genres, new techniques…I think I love playing electric bass because in the grand scheme it’s still such a young instrument.  The violin is like 500 years old.  There’s a “right” way to play it that has been refined over centuries by hundreds of true masters.  The electric bass is 82. Larry Graham started slapping it in the mid 70’s.  Jaco Pastorius pulled the frets off of his right around the same time.  People are still reinventing how to approach it.”

• Which concert or tour was your favorite that you’ve performed on?

“The Eras Tour is such a culmination of the work that’s come before. I’m so proud of it.  It’s really connecting with people, it feels like a Big Deal, and I walk off stage happy and tired.”

• Is there a particular song you love performing on tour?

“I am usually drawn to the high energy stuff, so songs like “Look What You Made Me Do” “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “Don’t Blame Me” are some current highlights.  I also really enjoy the quiet challenge of playing slowly and with consistent dynamics, so I look forward to songs like “Cardigan” and “All Too Well”.”

• What’s it like touring with Taylor Swift?

“It’s the best.  I go to work surrounded by tenured experts at the top of their game.  I’ve had the opportunity to add tons of skills and meet big challenges while doing what I love.  I look out at tens of thousands of joyful faces, and watch people having the time of their lives every time we play. “

• Finally, Is there any advice you’d like to give to aspiring musicians attending CHS who’d like to pursue music or the arts?

“Do the thing you love.  Your best work is going to come from you at your most excited and fulfilled.  The voice you have, your perspective, your unique blend of influences and experiences..the journey is finding out what that is, refining it, and seeing where you can take it (and vice versa).  Never stop learning.  Try everything.  Say “yes” to as much as you can execute with excellence.  Take care of your body.  Drink water.”