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Music has always been a part of my life, both when I was growing up and certainly now as an adult. There’s not a time I can remember when music hasn’t been a part of who I am. And though I may be just starting out as a performer, I’m certainly not a stranger to what is called Folk, Country, Bluegrass, and any other genre that fits into Americana music. I was fortunate to have found my connection to the world through music very early in life while living in a part of the country that really didn’t advocate being a musician.

At age three, I received my first radio and from then on, I was listening to all types of music. Growing up in El Paso, TX, there was not much variety in the music. But, some of the performers I heard at an early age meant a lot to me years later.

I can remember listening to shows on public radio Saturday nights and hearing such folks as Doc Watson, Riders in the Sky, Hank Williams, and many others. For a ten-year-old kid, this was not the type of music to sit around listening to with his friends. But I loved the melodies produced by the acoustic guitars and fiddles, especially when accompanied by good lyrics. I was fascinated by both the simple and complex sounds one could create with a guitar and a voice, and that was all it took to get me into acoustic folk music for life. As the years went on, I listened to people like Tom Paxton, Alison Krauss, Stan Rogers, and Bill Staines; they and others continue to have enormous influence on what I like and what I play!

While at college in Austin, TX, I immersed myself in the live music scene, attending any and every concert I could. I’d say I learned more about folk music then than I did about anything taught in college and it was well worth it! I heard all the Texas performers like Tish Hinojosa, Guy Clark, and great Celtic and Scottish musicians like Ed Miller. How much more diverse could I get, I thought, and yet there was so much more!

One of the best things that could have happened to me was meeting Rik James from Bozeman, Montana, who has turned out to be one of my very best friends. We were roommates for a short time, but he let me play records from his collection. It was thanks to Rik that I truly got to know the music of Gordon Lightfoot, who would ultimately become my musical hero. I also learned about John Prine and Steve Goodman and so many others. When Rik and I went back to our respective states, a question was left in my head, especially after hearing Rik playing guitar many a night. “If I have this much fun listening to music, how much more fun could I have actually making or playing music? Could I ever play the guitar like Rik or like the people I admire musically?”

Upon graduation, I bought a cheap guitar and also took a job in Omaha, Nebraska, where I was quickly introduced to a radio program of pure live acoustic folk music called “River City Folk.” The host, Tom May, was a very personable and genuine fellow who not only liked the music he was playing but wanted to get to know the people whom he was interviewing. He always would say that he believed that his guests were playing “Music that makes a difference”, and that phrase always stuck with me. Tom used to play a final song with his guest, and it was usually a simple folk song that people in the listening audience could follow along. I knew then and there that I wanted to be able to make and share music as well.

I moved to Seattle in 2002 and immediately began taking lessons. I wanted to join the music scene in some way. Little by little, I began playing. Before I knew it, I had performed a song at a music camp concert. A friend invited me to join him at an open mike, where I’ve been a regular for two years plus. I was able to take my guitar to work and play for celebrations there. Then I performed sets of music for friends’ gigs and finally shared the stage at events open to the public.

One of the biggest thrills and confidence boosts was at last year’s Tumbleweed festival, when I went to Hank Cramer’s workshop on the songs of Gordon Lightfoot. I not only played along with Hank and his workshop participants, but I was also able to perform one of my favorite Lightfoot songs and be joined by Hank and some others.

I now play at open mikes, attending a few gigs here and there as well as at song circles and jam sessions with friends. Although I’m always learning everything about my songs and music, I am also ready to share my music with others who don’t know or haven’t heard of me. Every new thing I do is another exciting musical step.

I also perform humorous songs as well, especially those of John Prine and Steve Goodman. Being a hopeless romantic, I’d say that I specialize in ballads and songs with a message. The song I’ve written, “Because Of You,” takes a look at how a young man feels when he finds the true love of his life and how giddy he feels beginning the relationship. It’s a country-flavored waltz, which is interesting because my strong suit is finger-picking songs in the tradition of folks like Tom Paxton and Tom May.

Aside from just playing and listening to music, I’ve also produced or co-produced a few concerts, both independently at small coffee venues and also as a volunteer with the Seattle Folklore Society. I’ve also written three articles for the “Victory Music Review”, and one of them was also published in the e-talk publication of the Three Rivers Folklore Society. Finally, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with the person who was a huge influence on me feeling free to play the guitar, Tom May. I’ve helped him promote a music festival, and have produced a concert for him and written an article about him as well. It is said that life is a journey, and I am having the time of my life!