I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks outside Chicago. Cheerleaders beat me up and my mother assured me I would die alongside her in the factory. At 16, desperate to escape the abusive stepfathers and beatings, I ran to 80 intending to hitch hike to NY but got on the wrong ramp and wound up in Berkeley with $28 in my pocket
After living on the streets and doing odd jobs for a few months I met a keyboard player At Provo park and soon started my first band. Since that auspicious moment I'v...
I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks outside Chicago. Cheerleaders beat me up and my mother assured me I would die alongside her in the factory. At 16, desperate to escape the abusive stepfathers and beatings, I ran to 80 intending to hitch hike to NY but got on the wrong ramp and wound up in Berkeley with $28 in my pocket
After living on the streets and doing odd jobs for a few months I met a keyboard player At Provo park and soon started my first band. Since that auspicious moment I've performed in more cover bands than I can remember, done voice-overs, studio work, lyric revision, vocal coaching and written/collaborated on a hundred+ original songs-- recording at Fantasy, Hyde St. and Red Rooster studios, among many others. I've performed and/or recorded with George Cole [Zelda & the Gladiators], Garth Webber [Miles Davis, Robben Ford], Tommy Castro, White Trash Debutantes, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Money, Chambers Bros., Jean Carn, EC Scott, Joan Baez, members of Chris Isaak, Robert Cray, Tower of Power, Cold Blood, Norton Buffalo and lots of other friends.
My fiancee was killed in a car wreck and I proceeded to develop an insidious addiction to self destruction via cocaine and dropped out of music for 10 yrs. God has given me another shot and the gift of cannabis has saved me.
Like Rick James said "Cocaine is a helluva of a drug!"
I returned with more tales to tell 6 yrs. ago. 'Cartoon Life' is my second release after 'Barflies & Busted Dreams' in 2006. The music genres defy categorization and the words scream to be heard.
My influences include Esther Phillips, Etta James, Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Bobby Womack, Billie Holiday, Irma Thomas, Jean Carn, Phyllis Hyman, Stevie Wonder, Margie Joseph, Paul Westerberg, Marlena Shaw, Cleo Lane, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Ella, Aretha, Luther, Rance Allen, Flora Purim, Koko Taylor, Betty Carter, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Joan Baez and so many more; especially the one hit wonders.
Welcome to my cartoon life....
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