Born in Kentucky, moved to Chicago in the early 80's. Despite the colder winters I came into the middle of the world's greatest blues scene. In those first 10 years here, I worked a day job and went to blues clubs when I could. A high point for me was getting to perform with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells for a set, and being invited to Buddy's club when he and Eric Clapton jammed - about 25 people in the audience, mostly musicians. Also in Chicago clubs, I got to know great artists, like Eddie Taylor (the other guitar in Jimmy Reed's distinctive sound), Big Walter Horton and a host of others.
At some point I temporarily suspended my musical life to focus on another life-long interest - laboratory alchemy. In 1984 I studied with Frater Albertus at the Paracelsus College. It was to be his last 'prima' or first-year class as he passed on later that year. In 1985, it was my good fortune to study with Artofferus, another alchemist whom I highly respect, at the home of Hans Nintzel. Later that year I became friends with a George, a German alchemist who had known Frater Albertus since 1940, they met at Rose-Croix University (AMORC) in San Jose, California in the laboratory alchemy classes offered at that time. In 1988, George, and Jack Glass (who took all 7-years of Albertus' classes - twice) taught a first-year class in Alchemy for AMORC, which I attended. Sadly, George passed on shortly before the 2nd year class was to be given; it was devastating to me and to his many friends. Jack asked me to be his teaching partner, and together we gave a 2nd and later a 3rd year class. For several years, we taught a 3-year curriculum in San Jose, Chicago and Washington for groups of AMORC students.
In 1992, I went to Canada to attend a class instructed by French alchemist, Jean Dubuis, founder of 'Les Philosophes de la Nature' (the Philosophers of Nature). The seminar astounded me, and I called my wife to see if she would be willing to organize an American seminar. It was the beginning of a roller-coaster ride that continued for 7 years. There were many seminars eventually, some quite large, with as many as 14 instructors from France participating and well over 100 students attending. Sue coordinated the majority of major seminars, and we had the pleasure of meeting some of the most wonderful people, and finding new friends.
Today the organizations in Europe and in the USA are not in existence. The written teachings of the organization are available in English on the website http://www.triad-publishing.com.
After the mad pace of 7 years of alchemical work and organizational work (on top of a day-gig), I needed a philosophical retreat, and returned to my love of music, and playing guitar. In recent years, I studied for some time with Dave Spector, a great guitarist and producer, and rehearsed and routinely jam with musician friends. Some of us played a show last Halloween at a Moose Hall. I thought that a little gun play might ensue with a patron during our later afternoon soundcheck, but the late night crowd was up for the onslaught - I used a hot-rodded 1963 Magnatone 440, and a Leslie "organ speaker" just to make things swirl a bit.
My friend Lonnie Mack has been a continual inspiration and has encouraged me to write music and prose, and I have the pleasure of being his webmaster on myspace and at www.lonniemack.com; my wife, Sue, is the 'make it happen girl' - and owner of our publishing company - and typically processes orders within 24 hours.
"Domino Mike" one of my Kentucky friends and early guitar mentors, compiles a CD every year; I think it was in 2000 that "Sit Down If You Can", a live recording by the Campbell Brothers was in the compilation. I played it for everyone who would listen. This included Lonnie Mack, who played it for his friends. FIND THEM in my friends list! Listen! Check out "Pass Me Not" which I find transfixing. It can fix what ain't exactly right.
A few months later, I noticed that the Campbell Brothers were to be the headliners at the Cincinnati Blues Festival, and contacted their management to see if they would be interested in having Lonnie sit in; they were, he was, they did, and the Cincinnati Enquirer listed that session as the musical highlight of the year! I was proud to listen to two of my favorite artists on stage together in front of an appreciative crowd. Alchemy is about harmony, after all!
Sue and I have four adult children (Jim, Mary, Katie and Jon) and 7 lovely grandchildren. A cat, Maxwell, adopted us a couple of years ago. Occasionally guitars adopt me, sometimes amplifiers, too. Sorry, Sue.
I enjoy visiting family in Kentucky when I can, and sometimes get to visit with music friends there as well - you know who you are!
What's up for 2008? After finishing my novel, "The Portal" which strongly features alchemical practice and lore, in 2007, I am now finishing a historical-practical book on alchemy - a Rosicrucian alchemical document from the 1700's with added commentary on how this relates to practice.
