In a nutshell, I assemble notes and teach others how to play with sound. Weapons of choice are mostly Banjo + Acoustic Guitar. I sing a bit as well.
My goal as a teacher is to equip people with the necessary skills to one day teach themselves (as my old teacher used to say, it’s NOT a good business model!).
I have multiple musical personalities.
With the banjo, I do bluegrass, popular music, and write original music that combines all of my jazz/classical/Latin music influences. I do old-time fiddle tunes and ‘Celtic’ music with the clawhammer banjo as well.
With the guitar, I play original, popular, and jazz music these days.
- Key Performances
- Musical Training
- Education
- Hobbies
- My Original Music
Key Performances
During my career, I’ve played on the most prestigious stages in the United States. That includes Carnegie Hall, The Grand Ole Opry, and the Ryman Auditorium. I’ve also performed in six different countries, including China, Mongolia, Argentina, and Canada.
Here I am at Carnegie Hall (2017)
I was the lead banjoist in the Come Away to the Skies choral composition; that’s how I got there….and I suppose lots of practice.
Here I am at The Ryman Auditorium. This is one of my most treasured performances & memories:
In 2014, I played guitar on the Grand Ole Opry with The Randy Kohrs Band.
PAST AWARDS include-2004 Merlefest Banjo Contest winner; 3X Georgia State Banjo and Flatpick guitar champion. I also won the Georgia state old-time clawhammer contest once as well.
My Musical Background
As a teenager, I took private guitar and banjo lessons for many years. Dan Acheson was my banjo teacher and got me started. Later on, I studied under world class jazz pianist Kevin Bales for seven years; we worked on Jazz Improvisation (I did this with guitar). Kevin is one of the best musicians I know and I wouldn’t be the musician I am without him.
I later studied music composition with Doug Gibson who really helped change the way I viewed music. It filled-in some of the gaps in my training. Doug does orchestration in the film industry. We went through a lot of classical scores, movie music, and how to arrange things for a larger ensembles. He helped sharpen my composition game.
Until 2020, I taught guitar to kids in the Fulton County elementary schools for five years as part of the program FINE ARTS MATTER. Yeah, I can manage a classroom of unruly kids and act like I’m 7 years old. It occasionally comes in handy. The time I spent with Fine Arts Matter helped me learn how to break things down into even simpler pieces.
Today I maintain a schedule of around 20 online students.
My Education
I don’t have a music degree. My Bachelor’s degree is in chemistry; I worked as an Analytical Chemist for 7 years.
17 years ago I got tired of working long hours in a lab, exposing myself to harmful chemicals. So, I decided to become a full-time musician and that’s what I’ve done ever since.
Other Hobbies and Interests?
I LOVE taking walks in Nature (I do so three times a week); I love animals and they tend to like me back. I’m constantly learning and researching new things.
Other hobbies include martial arts, reading, and investing.
I’m originally from Georgia (where I still live). However, my thick accent has since left me; you’d never know unless you catch me in the middle of a relapsed YONDER, SWAN’EE or YA’LL.
My Original music:
I seek to combine elements of bluegrass/folk influences with jazz and elements from Impressionistic composers. I strive to paint a picture with the songs I compose. I’ve written everything from two chord songs, 12 tone music, to art songs for voice and piano. All of my published banjo music is available on BANDCAMP for purchase: