Started playing when I was 11 or 12 maybe. I learned snare drum, and played with the Innisfail Legion Pipe Band. That led to playing drums in rock and country bands. Started writing songs while learning guitar in my late teens, early 20's. Late 60's or early 70's.

1965, probably. Went up to Edmonton to see Herman's Hermits and the Who. I don't remember if I went up with my sister or my bandmates at the time. Not very memorable, I'm afraid, although the Who did "My Generation" and wrecked the drums and all.

I also saw the Doors in Toronto in 1968. Terrible show.

I have a Martin D18 which I bought new in 1973. It's as good as I'll ever be. I also have a whole collection of harmonicas - Golden Melodies, Blues Harps, Special 20's etc. My drums are old beat-up tubs with decent hardware, and are a very basic set. I am of the belief that drums are not about the high end equipment basically - it's about the groove! You can get a good groove happening on garbage cans or shoeboxes.

Andre Picard taught me the rudiments on snare drum, and more than that- how to be musical. Taking courses in the Music Department at the U of Calgary was good as well, especially singing in the University Concert Choir. Learned alot from listening to Bob Dyan and Hank Williams as well.

I usually perform as a single. I like to be self sufficient musically. I can improvise with myself freely then, take whatever turn fancies me at the time. That;s harder to do in a band, although I was quite successful at doing it in a duo with my guitar playing friend Dennis LaRochelle. He was an incredible player who could follow me anywhere I went, and would often race ahead of me to survey the landscape ahead! My latest favorite duo partner is Carla Olive Kuykendall, a wonderful all-around musician/singer/songwriter in Calgary.

If I could bring him back, I'd jam with Willie P again. We used to jam with me playing and singing his songs, with him accompanying on mandolin and harmony vocals. SWEET!!

I have performed for pretty big audiences back in my days as a drummer in rock bands. I quit mainly because as a drummer I relied on a band, and bands do not usually last long enough to become successful. Since I began doing my own songs I usually play in smaller venues. Coffee houses, folk clubs, small festivals etc. Maybe I will stay together long enough to become successful!

That would be "Trying To Start Out Clean, by Willie P. Bennett. I first heard it in Telkwa B.C., maybe 1974? It is the first album that I had heard that was distinctly Canadian.