Favorites & Influencers

Musical Beginnings: A Close ‘N Play Record Player at age 5, began Piano at age 8, Trumpet at age10, and was just always singing.

Key Musical Influencers: Paul & Annette Hoverman, Max Greer, Dave Mel, Shawn Nichols, Matt Murdock

Key Influential Musicians: Wynton Marsalis, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Alison Krauss

Favorite Song: I Get Along Without You Very Well – Hoagy Carcmichael

Favorite Movies: Anne of Green Gables; Tommy Boy

Favorite Video: Musicless Musicvideo – Elvis Presley, Blue Suede Shoes

Brush With Fame: Mickey Rooney once sat backstage just to listen to me. When I finished playing, Rooney’s bass player offered me a job in Vegas.

Favorite Concert: In 2010 – an obscure 83yo retired concert pianist sat down and played random piano concertos off the top of his head for 2 to 3 hours for around 30 to 40 of us at IPFW. The intimate setting and his effortless virtuosity and artistry was simply surreal.

Why This Style of Music? Welp, in 1986 I was headed down the typical “Classic Band Director” path at BGSU, when some kid (Shawn Nichols) handed me a cassette tape of Chet Baker. Let’s just say my musical-direction was changed “overnight” … literally.

Why I Love This Music? In the early 1900’s “Tin Pan Alley” is where songwriters daily pounded out thousands of the greatest chords & melodies ever written. The only thing funner than listenting to a great melody, is singing a great melody. It always fascinates me how many kids will stop and listen – as if a well-written melody is something new.