I started in music when I was 12 years old but I had always been surrounded by different styles since birth. Mainly, my dad would listen to jazz at top volume when mom wasn't home, so I got to hear all the greats like Armstrong, Basie, Fitzgerald, Krupa, and Rich. Not to mention some of the "new" guys like Davis, Monk, and Montgomery. With 2 older sisters and one older brother, I got to hear everything rock from the Beatles to Zepplin. I was one confused child.
Started on trumpet at 12 but started to play guitar when I was 13. Though I am not proud of this, I do admit that the Bee Gees music helped me learn guitar and taught me harmonies. Switched to bass when I turned 18 but do to an unfortunate run in with a pizza dough roller, I lost the use of two fingers on my left hand. I re-learned bass by finding every short cut I could in order to compete with the four fingered players. I tell people that if I can't play something because of my limitation, I can make something up that sounds just as good. A formula that has always worked.
Learned piano and keyboards in 1987 by just going to a music store and buying a keyboard. I don't read music but can play by ear. A method I used to learn all the instruments I play. I am either lazy or just like the easy way.
I have been in three really great bands through the years. Chaser was my first in Germany in the army. Its members were John Dean, Dwayne Leslie, myself, and Russ. We played mainly the Hard Rock Cafe in Bad Kreuznach but also played two biker rallies with 700 bikers from around Europe and as much hash and beer to accommodate the audience. We converted into a jazz band for an army talent contest and took second place for best band in Europe. But discharges broke the band up.
One of the first bands I formed in 1990 was Thousand Points of Light (TPL).After going through the usual auditions and finding a core, we ended up with Todd Glick, Darrell Wingo, Tom Lovelace, and myself as the band. Darrell left the band after the rehearsal stage and we stayed a three piece. Although we never played a gig and broke up when Todd suddenly left town, it was a very creative force and a lot of the songs I have today were written during this time.
Then came Mistaken Identity in Fort Worth.Originally started in about 92 or 93, I joined the band when it was Kenny Harmon, John Rowan, and Kurt on drums. We played a few gigs with Kurt when we went with Tom Lovelace, then Dennis, and finally Robert before I left the band in 97. During my time with MI, we played every Friday and Saturday night for a solid year and a half and Kenny was the driving force, as well as the heart and soul, of Mistaken Identity. I regret the way I left the band because it was really the best band I had been in at that point.
I am currently in Shortchange.A Fort Worth based classic rock band. The members are Wayne Gilbert, Roy Moore, and Bob Bourland. They have been together for many years and I am learning even more about music and the business from them and all their experience. Each one of them are top notch musicians. I am also currently playing at Bear Valley Community Church with two of the finest musicians I have ever met that are re-introducing me to jazz and other various styles.
Though I have never signed with a label, I have written many songs through the years that have been along a Pink Floyd influenced style. I am, like most musicians, proud of my songs, but not as proud as the songs I have written in tribute to my four children, especially Jake, my second son who died tragically at 3. The two songs currently on my page (recorded and produced by Nate Bolling, a great area producer) are about him.
Thank you for visiting and feel free to drop a line or comment. And remember, music is the peace that calms the chaos.
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