Originally hailing from Louisville, Kentucky where Sister Catherine Lucille, 87 years young at the time, gave me piano lessons. I was 12. Sister happened to be a perfectionist who ruined my hands and fingers with her baton when my fingernails were too long or dirty. I black out when I try to remember what happened when an incorrect note was played. Nonetheless, I begged my father to let me stop taking lessons. He gave in but should have insisted I take up the guitar instead. It would have been therapeutic.

No musical instrument occupied my time or interest until 9 years later when I spent my first year of 4 aboard a nuclear powered submarine where pianos were and still are taboo. It was then that I met this character Carrig from Southwick, Massachusetts. He professed himself a rock star in the making. I felt inclined to be a rock star as well due to the fact my hand was broken. It needed physical therapy. So we cohabitated in the submarine with each other, torpedoes and our guitars for many months. Then, one day, the waters and I parted ways and suddenly I found myself a civilian, playing guitar in a country band called Runaway from Bardstown, Kentucky. That 4 piece country redneck stuff on a very low budget made for some great tunes and a lot of local action. The VFW was always super fun. They wouldn't allow us to turn up past 4.

Next up was a new guitar gig with a New Haven, Kentucky country 4 piece band called Kickin' Country. It was about then I realized how much fun a loud amp could be. I also found out that keyboards sometimes could sound a lot like a piano and I had me some Sister Catherine flashbacks.

After recovery, I found myself playing guitar with yet another central Kentucky band that went by Sweetwater. I graduated to a 6 piece group. There can never be too many guitars, can there ?

A millennium passed as did a few decades. Carrig is still a Rock Star in the making. Me, I never really rocked much but I sure appreciate the sound of great music and still dabble with guitars.

I leave the keys and the Rock Stardom to the pros.