Growing up we had one those great, big console stereo units. It was so expansive it seemed to take up an entire wall. But the sounds that came out of those speakers was magic. My mother had this eclectic collection of records. Opera, pop, country, jazz. Aural gold that I mined at an early age. When I finally got my first 'stereo' (A GE Wildcat!) I started buying albums in earnest.
I didn't connect with most of the popular music of the 70's or 80's. I searched for music that hit me on an emotional level and usually found it in the 'cut out' bin. I found that connection in blues, soul, early R&B, twangy country and western swing. I connected to the simple brilliance of Chuck Berry lyrics. The hypnotic groove and power of Howlin' Wolf. The smooth vocal deliveries of Bobby Bland and Junior Parker. The blues shouting of Big Joe Turner. The raw energy of Hound Dog Taylor. The innocence of Buddy Holly. The raucous bar room country music of Commander Cody and the western swing of Asleep At The Wheel.
I played in local CT bands from 1981 (my first paying gig was at Baker's Cafe in Hartford, CT. I made $5.00!) until 1985 when I received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1986 I took up the tenor sax and within a year was performing up to 300 gigs a year all over New England with 'Shirley Lewis & The Movers'. Shirley eventually left and I assumed the front person duties on guitar and vocals.
I relocated to San Diego in 1992 and shortly thereafter embarked on a solo career. I released two CD's ('Stay Tuned' and 'Tales From The Backseat' (CQR 1018). I played around 300 gigs a year for about 6 years and in 2003 I relocated to Austin, TX where I continue to write, record and perform.