Member Profile

The house I grew up in and each of my grandparent's houses had pianos, my mom's parent's also owned two organs, and ukelele, and a guitar. Both my parents played guitar, my mom also played the ukelele, and my dad played harmonica and sang. Whenever my grandfather (my dad's father) could tap his fingers, everyone in earshot took notice and would begin tapping their feet to his rhythm. Whatever his fingers used to tap out those melodic percussive rhythms would his instrument. Listening to him tap out a rhythm on countertops, coke cans, or even the back of his own knuckles was as good as going to any venue to watch a live band. My grandfather, without question, could've (should've) been an outstanding percussionist. As enjoyable as it was to listen to melodies he finger-tapped, it paled in comparison to his singing voice. He had a voice that was as rich and as pure as any male voice could be.

I was always pecking (banging) on the piano keys, and spitting in my dad's harmonicas, and every once in a while I had the opportunity to snap a couple of strings on someone's guitar. But, one month into seventh grade, I learned that I was not going to get anywhere in life as an artist so, I got my parents to buy a clarinet and I changed my schedule from art to beginner band. I found my calling. Within two weeks, I earned the first chair and I kept it for the rest of that year. Against my band directors better judgment, a friend of mine taught me how to play saxophone, another taught me some on the trumpet, and another introduced me to the bass guitar. My seventh-grade year, my band director brought me and another student to the performing band instead of the intermediate band. Yes, I was the first chair my entire eighth-grade year.

I formed my first rock band at the ripe old age of 16, of which, you guessed it, I played bass guitar and for a short time, I was the lead vocalist. I love playing music and always will. There is nothing I can think of that compares to the thrill and excitement of playing gigs/concerts. The time on stage was the time to cut loose and just have a great time and who better to have a great time with than the fans who make it possible for me to do so. The stage served as a playground for musical artists. My bands practiced hard and long, so when we hit the stage, we played hard and loud!

I love playing gigs more than words can express and yet I call the studio my home away from home. It is hard work and it gets tiring. Most of the musicians I worked within the studio dreaded going to the studio. It was mundane, irritating, aggravating, and recording the same phrase take after take after take tends to rub egos the wrong way. Nonetheless, once the finishing touches are complete, and the band hears what it created for the fans to listen to, all the stress seems to disappear, especially if the band is pleased with their work. I loved every minute of my music life, even the stuff I hated about it.

I still have much to learn and I will never grow weary of penning, playing, producing, and performing. I have not performed in several years so, I have been focusing on developing some songwriting skills. I have a long way to go but, it has been an interesting journey to say the least and hopefully, I will have enough material to record at least one LP before I leave this world. I am going to leave this world something to remember me by so, I hope it all turns out good.