“Music that hits the heart and tugs at the emotional strings of the mind, and a musician who can paint a musical landscape of wondrous proportions…” One World Music Radio
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I reluctantly began taking piano lessons at the age of 8, with my parents promising me - "You'll thank us someday." Of course all these decades later that is certainly the truth, but like many young boys, I was not initially a fan of the piano - especially those dreaded 30 minutes a day of practicing and that weekly lesson commitment. Full credit to my teachers, they were wonderful, but as a kid living in a rural Western Washington town, there were woods to explore, forts to build, and games to be played!
Me and some of my buddies in 1989. I’m the one in the orange, white and gray sweatshirt.
Growing up I was a talker (still am) and a natural storyteller who was always seeking a listening ear. Most summer days (and nights) I could be found sharing scary stories with friends or rallying neighborhood kids to help produce the next blockbuster home video.
Though I reluctantly stuck with piano lessons into my teens, I struggled to appreciate the piano, or even music in general. It often felt like a mechanical chore or obligation. However, in my late teens, after hearing artists such as George Winston, Yanni, David Lanz, and Jim Brickman, I finally understood the emotional connection between music and storytelling. The real turning point was when, at the age of 15, my parents surprised me with a Yanni concert in Seattle. Yes, my friends gave me a hard time for that, but watching Yanni and his fellow musicians having fun really struck me. These musicians were all communicating with their instruments, and it was clear they truly felt and enjoyed their musical storytelling.
While music composition took a backseat to other endeavors, it remained an integral part of my life, and years later as a married father with three young boys I finally recorded my first album, "Road Home." Released in 2011, the album was inspired by significant life events, including the marriage to my wonderful wife, Stacy in 2003 and the unexpected passing of my father in 2004. "Road Home" was followed just a few months later by "Deck the Halls," the first in a trilogy of popular, award-winning Christmas albums, including “Midnight Clear” (2015) and “Winter” (2018).
For my 2013 album, "Thirteen Tales," I returned to my passion for storytelling and found inspiration in the classic stories of Grimm, Andersen, and others. My subsequent albums vary in theme from original compositions to refreshing and contemporary arrangements of well-loved hymns, Celtic music, and folk songs. Imagine my surprise when in 2016 my music was recommended by Deepak Chopra in a 2019 CNBC article!
As lifelong residents of the Pacific Northwest, my family and I continue to make our home in the foothills of Mt. Rainier. All of my albums have been recorded at the renowned Piano Haven Studio in Sedona, AZ.