,I wanted to play guitar since I was 5 when I saw the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show. However, my folks first steered me toward the violin, which I studied from elementary school through junior high (very grateful for Livonia Public Schools strings instructor, Al Larson). I got my first guitar when I was 15, then played in rock bands through high school and college.
Around the mid-1990’s, I fell in love with acoustic fingerstyle guitar music, particularly after studying with two exceptional guitar instructors in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Johnny Lawrence, jazz guitar instructor at Washtenaw Community College, and Shari Kane, Delta Blues guitar goddess. Early inspirations were Michael Hedges, Kelly Joe Phelps, Martin Simpson, and Pierre Bensusan.
My current repertoire includes original compositions and instrumental arrangements of folk, rock, and popular songs. Some artists I cover include the Beatles (of course), James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkel, Traffic, Van Morrison, the Grateful Dead, Al Petteway, Charles Mingus, John Prine, Martin Simpson, and Andrew York, among others. I’ve performed at a variety of events and venues around northern Michigan, including farmers markets, wineries, summer street festivals, libraries, and local concert series.
Ten fingers manipulating 6 steel strings to elicit the resonance of wood—this has always brought me a sense of peace and respite. It soothes my soul and worried mind. I hope my music does the same for you.