I was 14 when I received my first classical guitar, probably not my favorite guitar I ever received, but it was a tap into a world undiscovered by me. It wasn't until I hit high school that I began singing in various punk/rock/hardcore bands. Then it was mid 20's that the solo-artist influenza swept me and I've been a true gigging artist who just loves to perform.

My first real concert was most likely DC Talk when I was 9 or 10. My parents drove the mini-van and hauled us kiddos in for our first experience with live sound. My first concert on my own with friends was Warped Tour 2001. I was 17 and experienced some great bands over two days in San Francisco. Featured talent was Pennywise, AFI, Bouncing Souls, Rancid, Tsunami Bomb, Sugarcult, The Atari's, 311 and so many more.

I currently use a Takamine acoustic/electric and run either through my 2x12 VOX valvetronix 160watt amp or straight in to my MACKIE PA for smaller venues. I always use a clean tone.

Probably the toughest question, but I love hooking melodies or anything that sticks in your head. I was very partial to Weezer growing up, (old blue album & pinkerton mostly, not the new), but I borrow influence from bands like Blitzen Trapper, The Shins, The Decemberists, Mumford & Sons, Dry the River, and etc...

I am currently in a band and have been in bands. The bands have included: "Roger and the Shrubbers", "Popular Census", "March of Buffalo", and "PrizeFighter". The future holds the next name and line-up.

I would probably say Luke Pritchard of The Kooks. I love is energy when he plays acoustic. It just seems like no matter what he has a raw form even on a studio album, but I'm a big fan of his off the cuff live video/impromptu street performances.

I would say maybe a little over 150 max at a packed "Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant" in Redding, CA and it was to raise money for our friend Seth who suffered an aneurysm. My band and some close friends setup a charity in his name and raised roughly $3600 that night, but with online support we raised close to $10,000. And he survived the aneurysm and made an amazing recovery and has no complications from it. It was tough road he faced, but if you realize how fatal aneurysms are it is a miracle he came made it through without brain damage, paralysis, or learning disabilities. Amazing!

Infinite Arms by Band of Horses. I heard it 2 years ago and it just has everything I love in an album, Hard Rock, smooth easy listening, melody, harmony, and infectious riffs that keep you humming them all day without ceasing.