The last 20 years in this music business has been quite the rollercoaster. A lot of it has been shoulda woulda coulda’s and most of the learning experiences you gain happen from mistakes. In 1985 I knew next to nothing about the music business other than how to write a song. At least I thought they were songs back then but most people would have shrieked in horror by speed and heaviness or the music that was being written. I was 17 and ready to take on the world. The band was called Flotsam and Jetsam and for the next 14 years, records, world tours, and MTV videos were an important part of my life. Along with that there were interviews from countless magazines and fanzines from around the world. I tried to collect as many of them as I could but it would have been impossible. I have 10 or more large bins in my garage of collectables from my time spent with the band.
            Prior to the years with Flotsam, I was embarking on a music degree to try to further my education in music. I didn’t know what I was going to do with the degree when I obtained it. I really didn’t want to teach. I just wanted to play all the time and learn as much as I could. My college career was cut short when I was 19 by a short trip overseas to do a tour with Megadeth. More and more tours stated happening after that and the band was becoming more successful so I put the rest of my college years on a shelf until a later time. I didn’t resume my college career until 2005 and I might add that I’m still attending and enjoying it, but I have chosen a different major.
            Following the days of Flotsam playing in a band called Five Knuckle Slingshot happened for about a year. Like anything you put your heart into I was sad to see it go.
The band had a good run and reached local success following a three song demo that we released.
            These days I find myself at a slower pace doing more recording in my studio at home and paying in some bands around town. Currently a band called Shirleys Temple. Also over the years my choice in what type of music I prefer to listen to has changed. It’s a much wider variety, from The Dixie Dregs to Miles Davis. Rock fusion has always played a role in my influences as well classis rock and heavy metal such as AC/DC. When I say influences I mean I strive to be able to play like some of these guys. There is still a place deep inside of me that has a love for the really heavy stuff and from time to time it will pop out when I write something. For the most part I just write for the sake of writing. It’s a huge part of me whether it’s heavy, jazzy, or even pop sounding and takes me out of the realm of reality for a while and lets me be creative. I couldn’t imagine what life would be like without it.