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I'm just a dude - a normal dude. I chose to be a musician when I was 5 years old. No-one would teach me, though, 'cause my hands were too small. I waited until I was 9 before the lessons started. They were really easy, and I used to not practice, which would annoy my teacher. My parents would stop paying for lessons, and I'd beg them to keep taking lessons and promising to practice more. That went on until I was too "cool" for piano lessons, which was right around 14 years old - coincidentally about the time I started taking the pot.
Fast forward to 1997 - after many bands (Giant Panda Gypsy Blues Band, Double Dose, Medecine Show, Bluzymorvay, Peace Frogs, Dark Carnival, Love Pig, Rosco, Angie Aparo) and tons of parties, I thought maybe it was time to grow up and get a real job. I got my degree in business programming and got myself a real job. My girlfriend was happy I'd finally come to my senses. That's when music chose me. After a year of corporate soul-killing work, I realized that it wasn't up to me - I was born to play music, and it wouldn't stop haunting me until I got back to it.
The year 2000 I toured constantly with now-famous Angie Aparo (whom I'd toured with before my corporate year), signed to Arista records. I moved to Denver in 2001 after 6 months in Boston with Mountain of Venus. I met countless great people and made many new friends that I know I'll have for the rest of my life. I frickin' love Colorado - my first true home (away from home).
Touring part-time with Outformation and playing full-time in Denver I came across a couple punks named Tori and Chad that would eventually lead to Polytoxic - a dynamic passionate musical blend of fire, dirt and air. Twice we won "Best Jam Band" for the Westword magazine showcase show. We took the Westword award for Best Concert in 2005 for our re-enactment of The Last Waltz by The Band. We started playing in a burrito restaurant and ended up playing at the Fillmore in Denver, and selling out Cervante's Masterpiece Ballroom.
2006 was eye-opening, and my road turned to New Orleans. 2007 was a ton of hard work, but also turned out to be one of the best years of my life. I married the love of my life down here in New Orleans at the end of April. Outformation toured alot, and we released a new album in August, "Traveler's Rest". The fall was huge for us, playing shows to support the new record, and opening for bands like Widespread Panic, Umphrey's McGee, and Shooter Jennings.
2008 has hit the ground running. Outformation signed with a management company in January, Mad Management out of Nashville. We're very excited to have another piece of the puzzle in place, a piece that we really needed to help us grow to the next level. We have a great Winter Tour booked, playing gigs in 16 states and in some larger venues. We plan on hitting almost every state by the end of the year, with some big shows and festivals in the mix.
When I'm not on the road I'm working on my house, spending time with my wife, and playing music. I have immersed myself in the music scene down in New Orleans, learning and growing, and trying to add whatever positive energy I can add to the rebuilding. I don't know what the future holds, but it's great to be living my dream.
You Are 54% Evil
You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side.
Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.
How Evil Are You?
NEW ORLEANS - SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM MY CITY:
