FRYFOGLE-3rd MaS!MusicFest SATURDAY the 26th

My Musical Initiation
I was raised in Mississippi, in a Baptist, Self-Employed home. My father ran a electronics repair shop for most of my childhood, where I learned about circuits and such. He also cleaned carpet in the evenings. He also liked music, a lot! That's where I learned lots of useless information regarding late 60's, early 70's rock music. Doobie Brother, Fleetwood Mac, Leon Russell, Steely Dan, Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Walsh, the list goes on and on.
I started playing the guitar around 12 years old, or so. I can't say exactly when. I just gradually learned. There was always a guitar, and there still is. Started writing songs around 14, or so. Yet again, gradually.
I was part of a band in Mississippi for about three years. I'm still friends with most of the members, Dave and Ronnie Monk, Tony Purvis (RIP), and Justin Davis. We didn't ever really break up. I just happened...gradually.
Then, I moved to Alaska.
In Alaska I recorded my first album, 'No Previous Record', which received a fair amount of airplay, by way of the single release: "Better State of Mind". I toured most of the State, and started promoting my music to the State of Alaska.
I played the bar scene for about two years with my band, Jeremy Strunk, Greg Martin, Eric Warner, and some other great musicians who had short stints with the group, all of whom are great folks.
After two years of playing the bar scene, I decided to stop playing that circuit. It didn't really suit the style of music I play. Although I still enjoy the occasional trip to the Great Bear to see other musicians who do play the bar circuit. The band, without an income, gradually faded away, much like my previous band in Mississippi.
I started focusing all my efforts on promotion, promoting other musicians through media. I love working with media, because I can help other musicians, and because anything I can do to improve the scene for others will surely help my own musical aspirations. It's a win/win situation that I started calling 'Make-a-Scene!' - which is the slogan for my weekly music column that is still running in the Frontiersman every Friday. I've been able to help hundreds of other musicians, and for THAT i am grateful.
Now I've spent the last year publishing 'Make-a-Scene! Magazine', which is the most gratifying thing I've ever done. I believe in it with all of my heart.
Somewhere along the line, I gradually started teaching music lessons. Eventually I had enough students to stop working at the book store. This is something else I enjoy a great deal. I like seeing local musicians from before they discover their passion for music. It's also a very gratifying thing for me, musically.
Recently I opened the Make-a-Scene! Venue, in Wasilla, and it's off to a great start. I'm looking forward to the future, with a lot of plans to increase my efficiency and effectiveness as a musician, and as a person...gradually.
Make-a-Scene!