Bio: What I Do & How I Do It
With over 4 decades of experience performing live music in Rock, Blues, Jazz, and Country bands, for which I’ve played rhythm guitar, drums, lead vocals, and mostly, bass and backing vocals, I’ve returned to my musical beginnings by playing solo acoustic shows.
As a theme for these shows, I’ve decided to perform “Songs I Wish I’d Written”. This concept allows me to consider an enormous variety of songs across multiple genres of popular music, dating from the 1950’s thru the '00's, and some select songs that are more recent. My current playlist contains over 450 songs, and is constantly evolving. I also have a new album of original work, "Story Songs", which is available now. My aim is for a musical sound that feels warm, relaxed, and comfortable to the listener.
I feel there remains a need in the crowded solo acoustic market for someone who can present the songs of popular songwriters whose work is known to the public, yet some of their best tunes are typically less represented in a live setting. My mission is to find these musical diamonds in the dirt, bring underappreciated work into the light, and help relieve the tedium of the “same old tired stuff”. Familiar, yet fresh, and never overplayed. If there's a great story behind the song, then all the better.
I’ll be using up to 3 different guitars in my show: a 12 string acoustic, a large acoustic 6 string , and an acoustic baritone guitar. I have a compact, professional P.A. system, which is designed for small to medium-sized rooms, and outdoor patio settings. I do not use pre-recorded instrumental tracks or a looper. Everything you hear is live.
One of my foremost goals is to build long-term partnering relationships with the venues that hire me by becoming part of your regular rotation of performers. I will accomplish this by actively promoting your business on this website and social media, and by consistently delivering professional, well-rehearsed live performances of high quality that will bring new customers in, and persuade existing ones to linger. This also includes oft-neglected qualities that I consider essential, like a clean appearance, an affable personality, punctuality, reliability, avoidance of profanity and politics, thoughtful song selection, and controlled audio volume management. Bottom line, I want your customers to have a great time, enjoy the music, and to solidify your venue's reputation as one of excellence.
Thank you for visiting my website. I look forward to working with you soon.
Song List
Note: This is only a partial list of the many artists whose songs I perform.
The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Simon & Garfunkel, Lowen & Navarro,
Joe Ely, Willie Nelson, Dawes, Gin Blossoms, Craig Morgan, George Strait,
Buddy Holly, Van Morrison, John Hiatt, Jeff Healey, Toad The Wet Sprocket,
The Rolling Stones, John Mellencamp, Badfinger, Steve Winwood, The Byrds,
Big Star, Lyle Lovett, Ray LaMontagne, The Who, The Smithereens, Tom Petty,
Grateful Dead, James Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Green Day, Pink Floyd,
George Harrison, Guy Clark, Jimmy Buffett, Gordon Lightfoot, Guster, Rodney Crowell,
James Taylor, Poco, Harry Chapin, The Kinks, Stephen Stills, George Jones,
The Decemberists, Elton John, Neil Young, Nick Lowe, Paul Simon, Garth Brooks,
The Lovin' Spoonful, Steely Dan, R.E.M., Paul McCartney, Lobo, Bob Dylan,
Gerry & The Pacemakers, Tom Waits, Bruce Cockburn, Dobie Gray, Bob Lind,
Harry Nilsson, Bread, Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, Eagles, Foster & Lloyd,
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Vogues, Jackson Browne, Glen Campbell, John Mayer,
Rick Nelson, Bee Gees, Jimmy Webb, Keith Whitley, Cat Stevens, John Prine,
Joe Jackson, Jason Isbell, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Jethro Tull,
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jim Croce, The Association, Steve Earle, Johnny Rivers,
Men At Work, Gerry Rafferty, Tom Rush, Fairport Convention, John Denver, ELO,
The First Edition, Cymarron, Fountains Of Wayne, Soul Asylum, Collective Soul,
The Flying Machine, Fleetwood Mac, Bad Company, Leon Russell, America,
Doobie Brothers, David Bowie, Moody Blues, Crowded House, The Monkees,
Chad & Jeremy, The Hooters, The Church, Don McLean, The Left Banke, Bob Seger,
Marc Cohn, Bruce Hornsby, Foo Fighters, Dave Mason, The Band, The Mavericks,
Chris Isaak, Chris Stapleton, Little Feat, Sam Cooke, Randy Newman, Billy Joel,
Bob Marley, Michael Penn, Leroux, Richard Thompson, Blackberry Smoke,
...and hundreds more!