My first memories of musical influence date back to my early childhood and my Father's collection of eight track tapes. I can still hear the sounds of BTO and CCR playing over the stereo system of his Ford Econoline van, decked out with side pipes, shag carpet and captain's chairs. I will never forget cruising north with him listening to the sounds of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, The Rolling Stones, The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, Steve Miller, The Beatles, Santana, The Kingston Trio ...the list goes on and on.

I first picked up a guitar at the age of 10 and learned the riff to “Smoke On The Water” from my big brother. That was it, just that one riff, over and over and over, for years. At the age of 12, I decided to learn a few chords. The same three chords…. over and over and over, you get the idea.

During that time I was involved in the Spring Lake (Michigan) school band program where I received a basic musical education and developed an appreciation for Symphony Music. Spring Lake had a good band program and I had many opportunities to perform in the Symphonic (French Horn) and Marching (F Trumpet) Bands. In 1985 there was an opening for electric Bass guitar in my High School Stage Band. Since I was the only kid with any knowledge of the guitar, I found myself carrying home a brand new Bass provided by Spring Lake High School. This was where I found myself musically. Nothing really made sense to me on the horn. I could learn the songs, but, I always struggled with flats and sharps (key signature). On the bass I could see the flats and sharps and how they everything fit together. We did pretty well for a High School Jazz Band and got an opportunity to open for Buddy Rich at Grand Valley University.

At the same time I was playing Bass in a Rock and Roll cover band Next Exit (80’s Rock). We won a few small Battle of the Bands but never really did anything beyond that. Then, around ’95 I became involved in a Christian Rock Band Jericho Road. This band wrote and performed originals only. Jericho Road recorded two studio albums. It was here that I developed my Bass style and song writing skills.

As time progressed my taste in music began to change. I really wanted to move in a different direction and took an interest in the Blues. I began listening to blues artists and knew that I wanted to be a part of that Chicago Blues sound. In ’04 I met Doug Houseman and he introduced himself as a Blues man. I thought “Man that is cool”. He gave me his card and off I went, never really expecting anything much to come of it. Well, eventually we hooked up and things fell into place. He gave me a list of material that we would be performing and I knew instantly that this was exactly what I was looking for. I had never rehearsed or performed any of the material, but, every piece was a True Heart and Soul Blues number and I became infatuated with learning each song. It just completely renewed my passion for practicing, rehearsing and performing.

I feel that there is a magical combination of talent with The Big House Blues Band. Each and every member understands the feeling and the sound, without a single ego.



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