About

I started playing guitar when I was 13 or so. My Mom encouraged me and helped buy my first electric guitar and amp. Frankly, I wasn't very good. However, I had the passion, so some friends and I put together a band that I named "Sounds Personified". We played a couple of gigs which was a thrill. At 15 my family moved to Los Angeles from Omaha; culture shock ensued immediately thereafter.

I started writing after arriving in LA. My first song was a simple, love inspired, co-written with a friend and included a bit of "why don't our parents understand us" angst. Being new to LA, I was fortunate to find friends with the same passion for music as I had; they were truly kindred spirits. We spent endless hours playing, strongly influenced by bands like the Beatles, Stones, Crosby, Stills, Nash, America, Eagles, Hendrix, Cream, etc. It seemed musical instruments were always around us, or, perhaps, it was us around them. I continued to realize I wasn't very good at any one instrument, but was best at writing, playing and singing. I was envious of my friends who were much more technically capable. Yet, my need to write and create dominated my endeavors. It was for these reasons I decided not to pursue music professionally. I just didn't think I had what it would take to be successful at it as a career.

However, my passion for writing, playing and singing just wouldn't be still. I spent countless hours writing. My songs were mostly inspired by love, nature or philosophy. Curiously, I found I was becoming a better musician by writing. Whenever I'd hear something in my head, I'd strive to find a way to play or sing what I was hearing. Elsewise, playing by ear has, for the most part, been the way I learned. I never really took lessons. Every time I tried, I would find myself off writing something instead of practicing.

It was at Humboldt State University where I discovered the piano; a beautiful new Steinway & Sons grand piano. Since I was living on campus, the piano was very close and available 24 hrs a day. The piano offered a new wave of ideas and harmonies. Up to this point, my only exposure to the piano was more of a plunk chord affair. Although, I did manage to write one song it some years earlier. For some reason, the time was just right. I was so inspired by what the piano offered I could hardly stop playing. To add to the frenzy, I met a women that inspired several new songs. "You Showed Me How" is one of the songs you'll find on my first CD.

I always wanted a piano, but they were too big to be practical. In 1997 I bought a keyboard/synth instead. It was then that I started to record digitally on my computer. Of course, the synth gave me a whole new set of instruments to work with. It was then that I started to augment my songs with additional instruments and vocals. I also started writing some new songs. "Strings in C" on my first CD is one of these songs. Learning all the different instruments and how they play together has been one of the most challenging things I've ever done. It's one of the reasons it took so long to produce my first CD. Learning how to mix and master all the instruments just added to the challenge. Additionally, doing all the CD artwork and finding a manufacturer finally resulted in my first CD in the summer of 2002.

My first CD is called "Finally" because it's finally a collection of my songs on CD. It was tough figuring out what songs to include. I've been writing for many years and have written many songs. The songs on it are a good sample of my style. Through them, I try to tell a good story in lyric and song, and, perchance, touch a soul or two in the process. The songs I chose were influenced more by the story line than the musical content. Hence, I realize they may not be as diverse as they could be musically.

Of late, I upgraded my music system to focus on Mixing and Mastering the numerous songs I've written in preparation for sharing them more publicly. The pursuit of my passion will ultimately be legacy for others to enjoy.

I look forward to much more music to come.