I am 57 years old. Music grew on me as a child, I would sing to my older brothers records from oldies like the Four Seasons to his singles of what was popular at the time. The Beatles released their first album and by them it was in my blood. I usually sang when no one was home because I was shy about being heard. I would put my face right into the phonograph speaker and blend with the mix. It wasn't until my junior year in High School I got the nerve to enter a talent contest. I had a friend play organ and piano and had a drummer on one of two songs I sang."Color My World by Chicago, and "Black and White by Three Dog Night. It was a packed auditorium and I won second place. I had never been in choir or had any coaching and that gave me a lot of confidence in myself. At the end of "Black and White" I ended on a high note and got a rush of applause an energy and I had never got that kind of feeling before. My senior year the music department decided to do the rock opera "Tommy". I tried out and got a major role in that and we played to two sold out shows, The news crew from Indianapolis came and did post about it. We ended up recording a Album that was recorded live without an audience and sold all of those and also traveled to Indiana State University and did a show there. "Tommy" gave me major confidence and I was ready to rock! After High School instead of going to college I went to work for GM and was laid off after 89 days for three years.. During that time I was in a few different bands and played some gigs. I joined a band called "Stormcrow" and played lots of great Hard Rock covers and lived the gypsy R&R life, sleeping in the van, camping out, staying at fans homes, even slept on a few stages when the money was tight. It was a luxury to stay at a Motel. We played Zeppelin,Stones,Foghat,Aerosmith Bad Co. so many great songs and got into doing a lot of originals as well.I was in that band till 1979.I got married had a son and had been working back at GM. I had to put music as a weekend kind of thing because I had a good job and my family came first.

I believe it was Three Dog Night. I think in 1971 ? They were at their peak at the Indianapolis Coliseum, sold out show. I went with a few buddies from school and the memorable thing was the bands performance with three great singers and the arena rock experience and all that energy. In 1973 the most amazing concert ever that had a major impression on me was Uriah Heep at the same venue when the 'Magician's Birthday" had been out and they released Uriah Heep Live. Magic was in the air an that concert took me to a level of musical consciousness that was that out of body and multi-dimensional and words can't describe. Interesting my first post on this site is a Heep tribute.

Shure SM58 I've had since the 70's. I replaced the grill but it still sounds great,also SM57 and SM57 Beta for live. AT4030SE for recording vocals into Pro Tools. I don't have time at this moment to get into all my gear here.

The Beatles, Why do I like them? That's a deep question you could write a book about. I was introduced to them when my brother bought their first album or the 45's. Then they were on Ed Sullivan and I was blown away, my Father didn't care for them,I think it had something to do with the hair. I have had so many musical influences and still do. I might have grown up but I'm still growing.

I am not in a band at the moment. The last official band I was in ended in 2002. I recently did a benefit and sang a little for that and have another coming up in July. I went thru a dry spell and have worked on backing myself with acoustic guitar but could use another player. I can play to a certain degree but by no means am I a gifted guitar player. Same goes for the Keys, I have my limits and would soon just sing. Most of the bands I have played have been Classic Rock to top 40 with some originals thrown in to Folk. I would play out again if the right chemistry was there. I would like to pursue recording more along with my originals. I have really enjoyed working with my friends from Italy doing a Heep tribute and that is the first time to get involved with recording music thru sending sound files back and forth. I did this once before with a local friend on a short clip but nothing like this. My first post represents our first work together which is a long story and I will be posting another song tribute soon that we worked together on. It is incredible to have chemistry with someone on the other side of the world and work together when sometimes you don't get that with someone jamming right next to you. It is a whole different way to work and thanks to today's technology you can do this but there is nothing like being and creating with like minded people working together in person.

Uriah Heep, I have gotten to talk and get to know the guys at their last couple of shows and I know so much of there material. Together as a band for 42 years that has been through many changes. I love the Heep from the Byron,Thain,Hensley,Kerslake era of the 70's but the Heep of today is still fresh and incredible. Mick being the original member,but Trevor.Phil, Russell and Bernie Shaw still got it and they are still writing great songs. My vocal style is similar to Bernie and it would be a dream to share the stage and do "Lady In Black" or something of that nature.I am still my own person as a singer with my own sound but we could complement each other very well!

Vietnam Vet's Reunion in Near Kokomo In. I played I believe four different events. I don't have a exact number because the event is so large and spread out with campers,RV's vendors and draws thousands of people from around the country.That was with a band called Mistaken Identity. I have played many gigs that had off nights with a low turn out but can't recall anything that really stands out. You feed off the energy of the crowd that's for sure but I have learned to adjust to that and sometimes have a small intimate crowd can be very special and personal to those who are there. Take Ritchie Blackmore who has played for 250 thousand people saying it is very good for the ego, but it doesn't connect to the heart and can get out of control. His band Blackmore's Night could play much larger venues but like to keep to the point where the show is intimate and personal. When you play a ballad instead of a rocker people are quiet and connected and respectful. I love to see great bands in small places, it makes it much more personal.

That is a hard one to answer and could change depending when I had a choice. I like music that is connected to nature so it would have to be something organic,relaxing,as well as spiritual. I would say Blackmore's Night "Beyond The SunSet" it is also a double CD! I can't recall the day I got the CD but it is a collection of great songs. I hate to answer questions like this, and I can't believe I answered all these questions period. I guess putting into words questions like the ones I just answered stirs up a lot of memories that can be hard to express without someone interpreting them in some matter and judging you and trying to fit you into some sort box or label. We are who we are, music is what is according to what ever floats your boat and if I was on a desert island I would want something that would do just that, or inspire me how to build my own boat and find my way back home.