I began my adventure in music after watching my cousins band play when I was a kid. I took a handful of guitar lessons (6 I think) and then started teaching myself...all at the ripe old age of 8. In my teen years, writing songs was how I got in touch with my soul.

 

I was in band and choir and all those sorts of things. I began performing by playing in church for a weekly evening folk service when I was still in grade school. I was even in a blue grass band as a bass player for a while in my high school years. To cap that off,  I held (3) live concerts of all original music during my senior year of high school.

 

I thought for sure I would have a career in Music, but life has a way of changing course on you. I lost my way in Music as one thing after another kept distracting me. I nearly completed a degree in Music, but actually ended up graduating with a BA in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay in 1988.

 

I found studying music (at least classical vocal performance and music theory) stifled my creativity, and basically ruined my ability to sing pop/folk music. I would probably have to elaborate on that for it to make sense to most people. I also found that the music industry was pathetically filled with too many 'freaky' people. I just didnt feel like I fit into that...although some might disagree and think I was a perfect match.

 

So, bringing things fast forward, I ran into an old friend while home for Christmas a few years ago. He asked me if I ever did anything with my music. When I said no he just shook his head and said "what a waste". I walked away feeling a bit guilty, like I had let him down. That conversation has haunted me since.

 

In January of 2007, I found myself in a doctor’s office dreading a possible life threatening illness. Test after test lead me to the Mayo Clinic and an ultimately a benign diagnosis. That entire experience caused me to seriously start reflecting on my life. The regrets started mounting up, not about what I did in my life, but rather what I didn't do. My music was at the top of the list of regrets. It was the number one thing I was really wishing I had not let escape me. I remembered a comment made by Dr. Wayne Dyer on one of his audio books I had listened to. He said, "Don't die with your music still in you".

 

Writing songs and playing music has always lingered in the back of my mind as some kind of suppressed desire. Not to become rich or famous (although that might be nice...LOL), but to simply communicate my thoughts in a personal way. The truth is, I find peace and tranquility sharing my human experience through music. Sometimes maybe we just put our dreams on a shelf or lose track of our life purpose...until something grabs our attention. Survivors and those facing serious illness tend to have those reflective periods that can send you off in a new direction. For me, it was a path reset back to what I should have never walked away from.

 

In my case, I guess you can say I pleaded with God to give me more time. To let me get back on track and fulfill what I now believe to be my real life purpose. If only I could have more time I would write music and sing like I should have been for all these years. Perhaps I needed to go through my life experiences to be able to share the right messages in my music. For whatever reason, I appear to have been given more time. With gratitude and in humble servitude, I will be creating and sharing music for all the remaining years of my life.

 

What matters to me the most is that the music I write, and/or perform, stirs the thoughts and emotions of the people who hear it. That maybe they will think a little deeper and just take pause and reflect on their lives, maybe even question things a little. It is never too late to change or look at things differently, no matter how much time you have left.

 

In a way, I see my purpose as one of allowing Life to express Itself through my music. To that end I find my inspiration from my life experiences and share a bit of my soul in every song I write.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read a little about me. If you want to know me better, come and listen to my music.