About.
I grew up in Weiser, Idaho. Weiser is considered the Fiddle Capitol of the World, so ultimately bluegrass and country music were a big part of my life. My folks owned a bar with everything on the jukebox from Patsy Cline to The Rolling Stones. The bar patrons were comprised of everyone from cowboys to bikers to full-on hippies. And, everyone got along with each other. Having so many influences at a young age turned me into somewhat of a social butterfly . . . I never met a stranger and was comfortable in any setting. Musically, I was influenced by the writing of such greats as Bernie Taupin, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, John Stewart, Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker . . . to name just a few. I wrote a lot of songs in my younger years, but unfortunately could not afford to get them recorded. Somewhere, stashed away in all my boxes of crap, are a few pretty good songs waiting to be resurrected.
As I got older, music took a backseat to a successful banking career. Every now and then, I would come up with a poem or parody song that would generate some degree of notoriety, but most of my creativity was relegated to the graveyard of lost thoughts that occupies the nether regions of my memory.
After having brain surgery in 2007, and a brush with mortality, I came to the graphic realization that life was rapidly getting shorter. It was at that point I realized my dreams of becoming a successful writer were drawing closer to becoming just that . . . dreams. By this time, my parents (I was adopted) had passed away. But, I had never forgotten the lessons and the values that they had instilled in me, one of which was to never give up on Something you believe in. So now, with the full support of my family and friends, I am off to finish the dream I started all those years ago.
The music business is tough. I understand that. But, the harder that success is to come by, the sweeter the reward will be. I have been blessed with a little bit of writing talent. I will contribute as much to the world of music as I can. And, no one will ever say that I didn't try. At present, things are looking pretty good for me. I was a Finalist in the 2018 UK Songwriting Contest, and also a Finalist in The 2018 Great American Song Contest. In 2019, I won a World Songwriting Award for Best Modern Country Song. In 2020, I won four American Track Music Awards for Best Americana/Country Song and Best Song Lyrics, and was a Finalist in the 2020 World Songwriting Awards for Best Gospel Song. I recently won two Global Music Awards (Bronze) for Best Song and for Best Lyrics/Songwriting, and had two more Finalists in the UK Songwriting Contest for Best Lyrics and Best Gospel Song. I was honored to have my lyrics used as part of the International Singer/Songwriter Association's theme song in both 2020 and 2021. In August 2021, I was named ISSA Male Songwriter of the Year. In December, it was announced that three of my co-written songs had been chosen as Finalists in the UK Songwriting Contest. A number of my songs have been forwarded to publishers, films, and music libraries. And, I have artists recording my songs in Europe and the U.S. My music is also played regularly on Indie radio stations worldwide. It's been one hell of a ride. I invite all of you to follow me on this journey, where ever it leads. I sincerely hope you like my stuff. Thank you for all of your kindness and support.