My life has been extremely diverse. I have had more “careers” than most. Careers is a stretch for some of the jobs, but many were long-lasting careers across my life. It seems that I always had to experience something new and challenge myself. This was not out of failing at jobs but rather and on-going desire to learn and experience more. I spent many years as a full-time touring musician. Being a musician spans so many more years of playing part-time and recording. I spent about 15 years working with multiply handicapped kids and adults. I was a professional photographer, a real estate agent, an ordained minister, owner/operator of many businesses, and spent about 3 decades in IT/data related roles including a number of director roles in fortune 100 companies. The list goes on.

When someone describes themself, it is very common to talk about themself in the context of work. While most of my work was something that I was passionate about, most people understand and believe that work is not the most important thing in life. Friends, family, and what we do for others is what really matters! I am a father and a grandfather and there is nothing in my life that brings me more joy.

After coming off the road with one band, I was about to head out on a tour of Japan with a new band and I was in a car accident. I didn’t make the tour, in fact because of the accident I found out that I had cancer and was told the prognosis was not very good. I do not tell you this as a “poor me” story; quite the contrary. It changed my life and changed my focus. Music never stopped being an important part of my life, and now 40 years after that dismal prognosis I have so much to say. I have faced a couple of moments in my life where I thought that the end was near and those types of moments do bring focus to who you are and what is important. Everyday is another opportunity to make a difference, to help someone else, and to be who I want to be.

I have been writing and playing guitar for many decades; actually more than 5 decades. I started playing in bars before I could drive so my dad would drive me to the bar and drop me off to play a gig. That would sure never happen today. I feel blessed in so many ways and feel a need to share what I have learned along the way. When I had the accident that took me off the road 40 years ago, my next move was not to sit still, wallow in sadness, or party for my next remaining months. I started looking for ways to help others. This was not a great moment for me and it does not make me a great person, it made me understand who I am and what is important to me. 40 years later, I made another similar decision.

I was enjoying much of the work that I was doing and making a very good “living” but I walked away knowing that it was the right move and that I had something more important to do. I had things inside me that I believed could help others. I had seen life from so many different perspectives and those differences allowed me to see the commonalities across all of them. I knew that I needed to “put pen to paper” as they say and attempt to share these observations. I “retired” and started writing and recording. More stories about the specific book and music endeavors are included in their respective pages. The short story is I have published 6 books and released 2 albums since my retirement about 3 years ago.

I mentioned a book in the book section of this site that I have written that is not published, but I am going to address it here as well. It is the story of my life. You cannot buy it, but if you are my family or “very close friend” I will give you one. The point of this book that is worth sharing is how important family is and the stories should never die. My dad wrote just 5 pages that I treasure. Knowing more about your family is important and stating the obvious, when you are gone there is no one to tell the story. Tell it now. Write your own story. The writing can be cathartic and your family will have an irreplaceable treasure.

Please check out the Music and Book pages for more information.