When I was five, I saw a man on a horse with a guitar in his hands playing a song and I was hooked. My Grandfather also played, and years later he would give me his guitar.

The guitar has played a big role in my life. I love all styles, methods of playing. I finger pick/Flat pick in a Folk/Bluegrass style modified over the years, and still don’t know if I am getting it right. A student for life and devoted to learn all I can.

I started playing Folk and Bluegrass music in high school, love the sounds of the rhythms and the mix of the instruments. Attended Steve Kaufman’s guitar camp in 1998, have also promoted his workshops for 3 years in the late 1990’s. I placed third in a guitar contest in Salida, Colorado in 2003. I have been teaching beginning guitar for 12 years. My first Bluegrass band was started in 1975. Then I drifted around Montana, landing back in Billings to help start Homestyle Bluegrass Band. In this band I met and developed a close friendship with Cherokee Bob a Mandolin/ Upright Bass/ Guitar player. Cherokee spent 13 years as a backup artist on the Television show Hee Haw in the late 60’s and through the 70’s. He taught me showmanship and more about playing this music I love.  

While in Salida I was a volunteer DJ for KHEN and had a 2 hour Bluegrass/folk radio program every other Saturday morning. While in Colorado I performed as a soloist staying that course after moving to Oregon. Then I met Bill Nixs and he invited me to play some music on his front porch. One night he asked if I would mind if a friend joined us on Fiddle. I had already met Dave Morris at a Jam in Stayton, OR and was happy to have him join us. Now we are HomeGrown Old Time just three Porch Pickers have a fun time.