Born in Jacksonville Florida in 1958 my relationship with music and the Saxophone began in Jr high School in 1970 under the direction of E.Irene Chattam who was at that time and to some degre still is my biggest musical influence.
I started with alto sax but quickly changed to Baritone to fill an open slot and there I felt very comfortable. I played in all the bands the School had to offer.
When moving to Sr high my instructor moved with me. I continued with Bari switching to Tenor only for solo's in jazz band. After graduating high school a trombone player friend and I answered an add in the local paper for a horn section with an elvis impersonator. To our suprise we made it with neither of us ever thinking we could actualy do this for a living.
We stayed with this road group only a short time and quickly hooked up with a more professional act that traveled alot more. This was a show band covering all the horn bands of the day. It was here I paid my dues for many years.Six nights a week 50 weeks a year traveling all over the world.
After leaving this band I toured with several country acts primarily as a vocalist but always playing the horn. This led me to tour with Billy Joe Royal (down in the boondocks,I knew you when, etc.) After this I married,Began having children and got off the road to help raise a family while always playing as many nights as I could get with whatever type of group.
Today I live in Amelia Island in Northeast Florida and Play with most of the top Corporate and Wedding bands in the area.Also playing in jazz trios and Variety bands and doing some studio and comercial work.
I own and play Soprano,Alto,Tenor and Bari. I sing lead and backup vocals.
I play Guardala tenor,alto and bari and a Selmer series ll Soprano. I play mostly by ear but do some reading.I am happily married with six children, 5 girls and 1 boy with ages from 11 to 20.My wife and children are my life. I enjoy anything outdoors. I love hunting deer and turkey, fishing,camping,Archery,Crossbows (Excalibur Equinox) Shooting.I make my own turkey calls,nothing fancy just nice field grade calls.One of my biggest dreams is to own a T/C Pro Hunter Camoflage/ Stainless Steel muzzleloader,or a T/C fully camoed Encore 209 x 50 Magnum and a camoflage Nikon Omega BDC Scope and to meet and hunt with Greg Ritz of T/C.I think that would be great.I feel that these are the finest rifles in the world. I am 48 years old and a Leo.I found out recently that I have END STAGE RENAL DISEASE and require a kidney transplant.I have been placed on the national waiting list.
There are over 90.000 people currently waiting for organs to become available and fewer than 4.000 donors. 17 OF US DIE EVERY DAY.
If you would like information on living donation please contact me.
GOD IS GOOD. I have found a live donor for my kidney transplant.
He is a wonderful man from my church who was led to be tested and was a match.He has agreed to donate one of his kidneys.The surgery will take palce March 7th @ Mayo Clinic in Jax Florida.
Thank you my brother and YEAH GOD.
UPDATE. I have a new kidney.It has been a life changing experiance for me.The surgery went fine and I am home recovering.Thanks to all my friends and family who have always been there for me and to Greg Gause for donating his kidney to me.I LOVE YOU MAN.And thanks to God for putting all this together.Update,My kidney is currently in rejection from damage caused by the BK or Polyoma virus,I am going throu infusion treatments at Mayo Clinic in an attempt to save the kidney.God's will be done.I am currently playing at the Highway 17 Tavern in Yulee (on hwy 17 of course) with some of the finest players anywhere like Albert Lightbody,Steve Miller,Jimmy Sexton,Derrick Hess,Big Jim Jenness and many others.Come out Wed,Thurs,Friday,Sat(I am usually not there on Sat) or Sunday and join us for some great music with my friends.UPDATE. I no longer play at the club
I found this layout design on PureLayouts.com - check out their MySpace Layouts .
