Music

Please follow the links above to learn about my current musical pursuits in Songwriting, Bluegrass, and Jazz. Below is my best recollection of the events that led me to the music of today.

I have always been blessed with many fine friends in life who share the gift of music.  During my high school and junior college days I found the pursuit of musical endeavors to be an excellent way to keep busy and stay out of trouble during the turbulent sixties. 

Singing has always been an important element in my life. I remember being in the 3rd grade choir, and thinking to myself while singing "This Is My Country"..."Now this music thing just works for me." I had the privilege of singing and dancing in the chorus for our high school production of "Oklahoma!" and then "Carousel". In my senior year, I was fortunate to be selected to play a leading role (Benjamin Kidd) in "The Desert Song". Being a member of a select group of Madrigal Singers allowed me to gain exposure to the finer aspects of classical music. It was also during that time when I began to study the acoustic guitar. Folk and Bluegrass music were extremely popular at the time. As a callow youth, I soaked it in like a sponge!

After graduation, I continued on with music coursework in college. There, I met a few more like minded individuals who thought it would be a nice idea to form an acoustic folk and bluegrass band. The idea proved to be a good one. That was right about the time when the five-string banjo was popularized by the theme song from "The Beverly Hillbillies", as well as the movie "Bonnie & Clyde". Our banjo player enjoyed antique cars, and owned a beautifully restored 1928 Franklin. We drove all over town in that car, and played bluegrass music just like old times! Since the bass player owned a recording studio, we just couldn't pass up the opportunity of recording our first (and only) album titled "Prohibition 69' - Update".

During the Vietnam era we were booked on a U.S.O. tour. During the summer of 69' we had the honor of playing for the troops stationed in the Far East. We performed at M.A.S.H. units in Korea, hospital wards in Tokyo, mess halls in Manila, and nearly every Quanset Hut from Anchorage to Okinawa! It was a memorable and rewarding experience I will never forget.

Upon my return to the United States, I was grateful to return safely to our great land! Not long after that, I received a special greeting from Uncle Sam. Fortunately, the U.S. Army, in its infinite wisdom, placed me in Special Services where I would serve out my tour of duty as an Entertainment Specialist. While stationed in Alaska I was carried away by the sheer magnitude of the landscape! There were times when it was bitterly cold. There were also times when a pretty girl, a cozy fireplace and a good guitar warmed my very soul.

I remember a special occasion when The Great Bob Hope arrived at Fairbanks with his entourage (200 girls!) for a very special show and dance. Usually, the Hollywood Overseas Committee routed his tours via a quick stop-off at Anchorage, then on to the Far East. This trip, he honored my humble soldier's request to drop by our little corner of the Yukon. 

After the show, we had a cast party at the rustic Malamute Saloon in the little town of Esther, were Robert Service penned the now famous poem "The Shooting Of Dan McGrue". We had a terrific time that night at fifty below, listening to the old time Rinky Tink Piano played expertly by the fat lady in a red flapper, behind sourdough recitations of Robert Service poetry.  We downed frosty mugs of beer, and tossed peanut shells at one another until the bar room floor could no longer be seen!

There were several other memorable musical experiences prior to my discharge in 1970. I was asked to sing for the Miss Alaska Universe Pageant. Never one to turn down the opportunity to hang around backstage with dozens of beautiful women, I naturally accepted the engagement. I remember singing "Close To You" by The Carpenters. We had a great cast party that night too. It was held in a remote hunting lodge by the lake. Was I concerned about the wildlife? No.

In later years, while working on the Santa Fe Railroad, I wrote a simple song about safety titled "Any Time Is Train Time". I was a member of the Operation Lifesaver committee, along with Michael Gross (Family Ties). Michael's dad was a railroader, so I guess it kinda' ran in his veins too. In the summer of 1988 we embarked from San Francisco together for a marathon whistle-stop tour of California. For the next three days, when the train pulled into the station of each small town, I would hop up on a flat car and sing my song. Michael would give his railroad safety speech to the local dignitaries, and we would head down the tracks to the next stop. We did this all the way to San Diego where the U.S. Marine Corps Marching Band waited on the platform and played "Oh Shenandoah!" upon our arrival. That has since become one of my very favorite songs.

Several years ago, the local Jazz society decided to sell their excellent upright bass. When the music store owner called me, I ran down and picked up that very cool instrument. I have not put it down since. These days, I am fortunate to play bass, from time to time, with The Straight Ahead Big Band. The band performs the music of Count Basie, Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, and Stan Kenton, just to name a few from that prolific musical era.

As I am now in my mid-fifties, I am looking forward, with high hopes, to many more years of life enrichment through music. Perhaps someday I will have the chance to teach my grandson Tyler how music can really be a blessing in one's life. Thank you for taking the time to read through all these reminiscences. Please feel free to use the contact link on this page to communicate with me. I will enjoy hearing from you!