I was born in Culver City and grew up in Torrance, California, dreamed about going to school to become a chef. Went to a fine cooking school in Los Angeles, moved to Northern California to pursue that goal and ended up, first as a volunteer and then as a paid fireman in a small town just outside Placerville, CA.
It wasn’t till several years later that I put my cooking skills to work, in and around the Placerville area and then later in the hotels in Reno, Nevada. After having my fill of cooking and not finding what I really wanted to do. I came back to Los Angeles to be closer to my family.
I worked my way up from the delivery driver to manager in a great furniture store in Sherman Oaks. During that time I was going to this great Country and Western Dance Bar in Long Beach. (I have always been a big fan of C/W music) It seemed like every time I was there I would end up talking to the owner who was spinning LP’s up in the DJ booth. On a slow night he asked me if I wanted to try my hand at playing music. I laughed and said “I don’t think soâ€. Later that week I was back and asking the owner if he would let me play. I played for several hours, having the best time ever. The owner said I was a natural, I said “Reallyâ€? That was in 1983, I quit my job and became a full time C/W DJ. For 13 years, I played music and taught line-dancing. This and being a firefighter have been the best times of my life.
During that time my parents had sold their house in Torrance and moved to Reno, Nevada. In the mid 90’s I decided to be closer to my parents so I moved back to Reno. My Father passed away 7 months later, I was very happy to be able to say “Thank you and that I love youâ€. Now that Mom was alone I could step in a help take care of her. The next seven years were some of the best years of my life, not only was she my Mother but my best friend.
More to come soon!
