marching band, which was called Junior High School in Connersville at the time. Playing clubs was a hit starting at age 16, including places as Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Bands that I was in also played at birthday parties, marriage receptions, and just to play. I was also as involved with music as much as I could be in school, especially high school, playing in the marching and jazz bands. I remember playing Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas in the marching band.

Starting with 9th grade, I got a Ibanez RG570, about a $550.00 guitar. This guitar is/was certainlly not "top of the line" but it works well and is still the one that I use today. This Ibanez got its two big paint chips during the marching band season in Hight School. I was so upset! My grandfather told me the only way that my guitar would stay in perfect condition is to keep it in its case, and I certainly did not want to do that. Good advise, because that guitar is pretty dinged up today from all of the playing. I have had other guitars including a PRS but I did not like it at the time. Today if I were to get one I might like it. Hey people change don't they?

After High School

After graduating high school I went into the United States Marine Corps and was in the USMC Band. After boot camp and infantry training, I went to the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk VA. There were musicians at the school that played with Dizzy Gillespie for instance, to give and idea of the caliber of the school and the players there. After the school of music, I went on to spend the rest of my time in San Diego CA, what a place to be. We played over 400 gigs a year, traveled, and every bit of it was a blast. The main style of music that was concentrated on was Jazz. We had Jazz Combos, Jazz Ensemble, Dance Band, Big Bad, Rock Band, Dixie Band, Marching Band, If I got all of them. We played pretty much every style. Some other things that I did in the USMC were:

• Sound Engineer for FOH and monitors, each its own system

• Sound Engineer for the digital studio

• Teach guitar and ensembles

• Play other instruments such as trombone, vibraphone, and others

After the United States Marine Corps

After the Marine Corps, 1994-1998, I taught guitar at Mars Music in Indianapolis, IN. One thing is for sure and I think any teacher will agree, teaching helps the teacher almost as much as the student. I started changing the way that I played and think. It is important what you are thinking while you are playing, you just don't want to play random notes do you, even if they are in key.

Music Interests

As far as music styles that I play: rock, hard rock, oldies, progressive rock are my strongest influences with artist such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Dream Theater, Motley Crue, Metallica, and others. Jazz with influences such as Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass. I grew up playing all the above, particular Vai and Satriani. One thing that you want to avoid is not getting good at just playing other peoples music, but being able to play your own music and being able to express yourself.

Other instruments:

Other instruments that I play or have played include: piano, trumpet, all saxophones, bass guitar, marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, and other percussion instruments.

Trombone I started playing trombone when I was 12 years old also, 6th grade. I played in all bands to and through high school and then on in the Marine Band. Even though guitar is my primary instrument, I still love playing trombone also. Marching band was the concentration on this instrument, as a lot of marching band I have done. Also concert band and jazz band.

More pictures here.