I had many influences by songs-with-a-message that remind you to enjoy and embrace life and fate - starting with the Beatles, Carole King, Phoebe Snow, Judy Collins (Love her voice), Carly Simon, Patsy Cline & Karen Carpenter. I began appreciating Jazz with BB King and the Glen Miller band. My natural father who died in 1985, "Sam" was a jazz piano player and introduced me to theory and harmony. I choose guitar and voice as my instruments and began writing and singing when I was 18. When I came to have faith in Christ Jesus,Yashua, I began being influenced by other Christian Artists: Scott Wesley Brown, Degarmo and Key, Larry Norman, Lamb, Lenny LeBlanc, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Pat Terry & Twila Paris. I also presently enjoy Sarah McClaughlin, Martina McBride, Emmylou Harris, Ella Fitzgerald, Kathy Mattea, The Eagles & recently, Jack Johnson. I thank God for this gift, which I enjoy so much; and I look forward to many more years of writing, singing and playing!
My experiences performing, since 1979 cover small concert/university settings, benefits, civic music guilds, restaurants, weddings, church music teams, music ministries in prisons and hospitals, schools, youth groups and a few Christian jazz & rock bands that toured locally in festivals and seasonal concerts. I also have many hours in the studio working with other groups, on radio and as a solo artist. I have some formal guitar and voice training, and have written over 60 songs. I love working in my in-home studio.
I am happily married since 1985 and have 3 great kids, whom we homeschooled. I own 4 guitars. My favorite guitar is retired and is displayed on my wall with a few other antique instruments. It was given to me by a widow that we visited after her husband's death in 1980. We sang for her, and she wanted us(me)to have her husband's guitar of 20 years - an Ariana Classic to play. After I used it for another 20 years, literally, I had to finally retire it as it started to buckle. There are lots of good memories with that guitar.
My music style is a mixture of county, southern rock, light jazz, folk, gospel and a little pop and bluegrass. I love country music, ballads and patriotic, traditional and adult contemporary music. I wish to continue working on original songs and produce a Christmas CD, a Patriotic CD and a Children's Music CD, as well as a contemporary and traditional Christian worship CD. I love to sing for special events and work with other musicians. Once I wrote a song for the Seminole Indians about the preservation of their language, and they recorded it in their studio!
Enjoy Life, Love God!
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