Bio
Live music is about connecting with people. For both young and old, sharing and connecting is vital, refreshing, and therapeutic. For me, the most rewarding times have been events where people sing along from the audience or join on stage. Music is so powerful and means so much to people.
I’ve been fortunate to perform a lot over the past ten years; I've played 700+ gigs, some big events like anniversaries and weddings, other small places like birthdays and summer parties.
More recently, I've discovered how important music is to older generations. A song can take the listener back to a place in their mind where they maybe haven’t been for a while. For me, sharing music with another person creates a sense of fellowship.
Back just before Thanksgiving 2023, I was performing "Hey Jude", and a retired physician was among the audience. When I arrived at the iconic "Na na na ..." ending, he came out of his seat - his singing was so loud and boisterous! That was great!
A week prior to that, I was wrapping-up a performance at an outdoor venue. Before beginning my final number, I asked if anyone in the audience could guess the final song. As I began the first few notes I heard an older couple off to my right shout out "It's Blackbird from the Beatles' White Album!" The three of us ended up in a deep conversation as I packed up my gear. That also was great!
My wife and both my daughters play guitar and sing. Music has been a key part of my family life. I've spent a lot of time backing them up at school talent shows and at our church; I know that music has been a blessing and a way for me to stay connected to them. With my father as well, last summer I had a great moment with him near a farm along the Appalachian Mountains in Maryland; I was working out the chords to “Fire and Rain” and the song launched us into an unexpected dialogue about challenges he is facing.
Back in grade school, my mother bought me my first guitar for Christmas when I was 12 years old. I strummed nonstop - I just couldn't put it down! By the end of high-school, I had gone through three acoustic guitars - learning song after song, one after another until the frets were all worn flat.
After high school I played in a college band. I eventually traded-in my electric for an acoustic when I traveled overseas to Europe and then to South America - I found musicians that loved playing as much as I do.
Prior to becoming a solo act, I was in an acoustic duo. We called ourselves SilkRoad. Many of the pictures in this site's photo gallery reflect adventures from that period.
I've always played and written songs with an acoustic guitar or piano by my side. I like to think that it's kept me out of trouble!
