BIOGRAPHY
I was made to praise Him!
"I look at my wife and kids, and I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness. When I left Him, He stayed with me and protected me. I don't deserve to be here but God's grace is undeniable. I can't imagine living without His hand on my life."
I grew up in Southern California. Music and art were a big part of our family life. My mother is an artist and my father played big band/jazz trumpet. Many styles of music were present and influenced me growing up ... Harry James and Duke Ellington, Elton John and Paul McCartney were common on the family stereo.
In 1978, at age 15, I taught myself to play guitar and drums. I loved music but had no real desire to be in front of people as I was pretty shy growing up. Eventually I discovered I had a new form of expression through music and with the encouragement of my father began to write songs and practice hours a day. By age 17 I began to play local clubs and this progressed to the point of fronting hard rock bands, singing and playing guitar. I shared the stage with a number of well-known bands including: (Guns & Roses, Poison, Warrant, Shark Island, Motley Crue, Smile, A La Carte ...) My sweet mother had always hoped I would be a worship leader but I really had no interest in this idea.
I was raised with Christian values but they were being tested and ultimately compromised as I moved deeper into the Hollywood rock scene of the 80's. As I worked to gain "Rock Star" status I was becoming more vulnerable daily. I was fortunate to not be interested in drugs but I was immersed in a lifestyle driven by sex and it was everywhere and a drug all it's own. I always felt the tug of right and wrong in my heart but I tried to rationalize my actions.
The narcissism of the 80's rock industry was wild. Promotion was king and we spent as much time on getting noticed as we did on our music. Sadly, the more involved I was the more it seemed I was loosing of myself. Promoters and agents saw how much money there was to be made from bands and audiences and they exploited every inch of Hollywood's Sunset Strip, luring bands from across the nation and beyond to be a part of the flash filled phenomenon. I was raised a few miles away in Pasadena, Ca. where the whole Southern California, 80's rock craze started with the band Van Halen. That band influenced a lot of young men and I was one of them. I wanted to be a musician, but now I wanted to be a rock star too!
Still, there was that tug of right and wrong ...
After years of being half in and half out I had an encounter. I was at the Rainbow, (a club in Hollywood Ca.) and I had an overwhelming sense to change the path I was on. In fact, as I was talking with a friend (who was a drummer of a famous band at the time) everything seemed to stop around me and I saw what my life looked like and it made me afraid. I knew it was God and I do believe God directed me towards Himself that night. I drove home different. That night was the beginning of a life committed to Jesus Christ.
I did change my path almost immediately and began the very detailed and painful process of redirecting my life. I was made to praise the Lord and bring glory to His name!
Now, my greatest personal joy is my family. I've been married 16 years and have 4 beautiful children.
I worked on staff at Christian Assembly Church in Eagle Rock, Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena and San Marino Community Church as a high school and worship leader. I now regularly play or lead worship at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Ca. as well as other venues within the United States and Brasil. My mission is to be used by God to pray with and lead others to the only true way to abundant life. Jesus Christ.
I'd love to come and share my music and story with your church. Please contact me so we can talk and see if I'm a good fit for your next event. You can book just me, the full band or anywhere between the two. Whatever works best for you.
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