First Instrument I learned to play was an accordian, the my Dad who always wanted to learn to play brought home a wurlitzer organ which I played till I was sixteen and had scoliosis surgery and was in a body cast so I couldn't sit at it and play without the cast cutting off circulation to my legs so I pretty much gave up playing until I was out of high school. After I got my first tax refund check I rushed to the local music a store and bought an Alvarez accoustic and a Mel Bay book and started to learn guitar as best I could. My first couple of bands I played in, I was the Bass player and that taught me more than anything else about playing the rhythm guitar parts that I play now. I've never really wanted to be a lead guitarist, getting that groove going with a backbeat was just always where I felt most comfortable and it also allowed me to step up front and sing and be the lead player in that respect.

Well the decade was the sixties and my uncle Glen and aunt Esther would meet our family at Chataqua park and see the touring country music shows that would come through there and being a little kid I wandered off from Mom and Dad and of course they freaked out, but apparently I had wandered off to Loretta Lynns dressing room and for anyone doubting this I have 8mm proof if you know where there is a projector. My uncle and Mom found me and I have this film of me as a little tow headed kid and Loretta in HUGE curlers...lol

Ibanez Thin body with cutaway accoustic/electric, Squier Stratocaster 25th anniversary, Gretsch G5120 and a Fender Blonde Dreadnought accoustic/electric with cut away. They're all my favorites for different reasons and flavors.