: B I O
Over the last few decades I've performed in a striking variety of styles and venues; I believe the diversity gives me an advantage. Here's a brief summary of my journey through music...
the 60s & 70s : Born in Philly, raised on radio. Major impacts during my youth are The Beatles, Paul Simon and James Taylor. The Stones, Led Zeppelin and Yes open my ears to blues-based and classically-influenced rock, fueling my desire to play guitar well. From '77 to '78, I explore my muse while attending the Art Institute of Philadelphia.
the 80s : First paid experience is lead singer in Bad Boy, doing Zeppelin, Queen and Aerosmith covers. Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd are easier to play and sing, and Every Stranger's Face is born. Always listening, I discover fusion, thrilling to monsters like Steve Morse and Al Di Meola. I move to New York for an illustrator gig. I'm writing in earnest now, sharing my songs at Greenwich Village open mics.
I venture into the world of virtuoso acoustic guitar, mesmerized by Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges and Pierre Bensusan. In '85 I relocate to Boston, where I befriend several Berklee students. Informal jamming teaches me much about how to express myself. Singing in a large a capella group matures my knowledge of harmonic theory as I learn to read, write and arrange vocals. I make a brief living playing bass and guitar in The Mark Dolin Group, a Top 40/wedding band.
the 90s : An offer with the same design studio takes me back to New York, where I learn how to use a Mac. I spend time in a horn-dominated band covering Chicago tunes. I receive a gift nylon-string classical guitar and focus on original composition. I meet my wife and we move to North Carolina. As life twists and turns, music is ever on the front burner. I sing and play lead guitar in a plethora of paid and upaid situations:
Crosswinds, an acoustic soft rock and gospel quartet; The Shrieking Eels, a hard rhythm & blues quartet; The Garage Band, playing 60s to 80s classic rock and soul at UNC Christmas parties; Biggie Phryz, a super-sized fusion rumpus; 751 (named after a road), a lethal cocktail of classic rock, Southern rock, blues rock and country rock.
Sometime during the mid-90s I perform my first coffeehouse gig: I pull a colorful set list together, mixing originals with Cat Stevens, REO Speedwagon, Gordon Lightfoot, Queen and a generous mitten-full of one-hit wonders from the 60s, 70s and 80s. I go on to play many dates at over a dozen venues throughout North Carolina.