
I was born in Downey, CA, (home of “The Blasters”, “The Carpenters”, and James Hetfield of “Metallica,”) in an era of change. It’s funny how these Downey musicians would play a part in my life. The Vietnam War would be coming to an end, and the King of Rock n Roll would trade in his honorary crown for one of eternal glory. Music was always special to me as far back as I can remember and lucky for me I had parents that appreciated the gift of music as well.
We had always had a piano in our living room. My dad was an accomplished accordion player and would often sit at the piano and play chords and melodies. I loved the piano. I would climb up and sit on the bench, legs dangling, usually wearing nothing but underwear and a bath towel pinned around my neck for a cape. I would watch my dad and listen to the sounds.
I left Highschool at 16 years old and considered getting a degree in music. I began studying theory at my local community college but quickly realized I disliked reading notes on a page and all of the hours logged in the practice rooms were dedicated to working on Professor Longhair, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Pinetop Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. I appreciate the Classical and Romantic periods of piano music but the Blues was all I really wanted to play.
I bring an acoustic upright piano to every show I do. Digital keyboards are fine for 1980’s tribute bands but I am a blues man and nothing could ever replace the sound of an acoustic piano and hammers striking the strings. “Three chords and the truth” just doesn’t work for me if your foundation is a digital replica. I got pretty good at tuning and repairing so I guess as long as I am physically capable of moving pianos around, that’s what you will see me play.
I am very fortunate to have such long-lasting friendships with the guys in this band. I will forever be a student of music, never satisfied and always wanting to learn more.
My first Recollection of music is when I was about 5 years old at my Grandparents. My Grandfather would grab a bottle of Kessler he had stashed up in the cabinet, grab a beer outta the fridge, walk outside in the middle of the night. I was Curios of what he was doing or where he was going. Till one night, I decided to follow without him knowing, hiding behind the draped linens my Grandmother had on the clothes line. I sat and watched my Grandfather in his chair, with sunglasses on looking out into the stars sipping on whisky listening to old jazz and blues being played on a transistor radio.
What was I hearing?! What was this music?
How can I feel this way?
At such a young age?
Was I intrigued by the rebel like way of my Grandfather or the music I was hearing, or both?
Or was it a blessing and a gift that would be instilled in me for the rest of my life?
Whatever it was I needed it and I would soon get it….
Started music at the age of 7 playing the violin. Moved on to the guitar at 13yrs old. Started playing live shows at the age of 17. Got his first start at a club in Crenshaw, Ca called Babe’s and Rick’s. He then started playing all over the So. Cal area of dive bars and nightclubs honing his skills. Joined his first band called Smokehouse at the age of 20. Then formed his own outfit at 22 with a band called King Snakes. Shortly after that he formed a band called the Healer’s with some long time friends. After a few years of taking some time off he was introduced to a band called Rumble King 25 year’s ago. He did a rehearsal with them and felt he wasn’t ready to play with them due to lack of experience of music knowledge. He went on his own path and proceeded to form another band called The 44’s Band in turn made 4 albums and toured 200 shows a year all over the world. Opening and headlining some of the biggest Blues/Roots Festivals in the scene.
25yrs later he has teamed back up with Rumble King and looking forward to the future of making music with the band he thought he was never good enough to play with…the rest will be history in the making.
But times have changed bitches !!!! I’m back.