I started on drums at age 12, then switched to guitar and string instruments at 16
What was the first concert you ever went to?
I remember going to hear Jefferson Airplane and Johnny Winter in 1968 Surrealistic!
What gear do you use?
Fender telecaster (1959 reissue, 1918 Gibson Mandolin, and my current fiddle is one I borrowed from a friend. I also have an open back banjo, mandola, classical guitar and a 1953 Gibson ES 175. My piece of what? music? Today: Richard Thompson's "the ghost of you walks"
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
My dad listened to jazz and swing and opera. I met Mose Allison at a club and told him, "I grew up listening to your music" He replied, "So did I!" Classic Mose wit!
Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?
I've been in many bands. Just now I'm reaching out to new musicians as the band I was in for 26 years is on Sabbatical. I continue to play in a duo with Jon Gibbs, and be a side man for a list of musicians in the area. This weekend I'll play with John Brannen at the Chief Theatre here in Steamboat. It will be a great show. I play rock, jazz, swing, bluegrass, country, blues, celtic and classical styles.
What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?
I played with a little Cowboy band at Farm aid for 30,000 people for 15 minutes between the Spin Doctors and Shaver. There's always an audience of at least one, me!
You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?
Brothers in Arms Dire Straits
the production rules and creamy guitar tones!