Growing up in a musical family, my Dad always played his guitar and my grandad could play any stringed instrument he attempted. Right around my 14th birthday, I approached my Dad and said, “It is finally time…. Today is the day that you start teaching me to play.”  My Dad gave me a 1968 Gibson Country and Western model guitar.  We strung the guitar left-handed and he began teaching me how to play. It was pretty frustrating and difficult at times and I thought about quitting often, but with encouragement from my Dad and Mom, I stuck with it.   

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About a year later, I joined my first garage band. We were a 4 piece that literally practiced in my Mom’s garage out on Cedar Creek Lake. We weren’t very good but we loved playing music. Our band’s lineup changed many times over the next few years, but I kept trying to be the best guitar player I could be.

 

After High School, I went to college and got my Bachelors in Computer Science. During my time in college, I played just about every day in my apartment. I bought a 4 track Tascam recorder, a bass, a little electronic drum set and began recording my music. I started writing songs and really took my guitar skills to the next level by learning more about scales and lead guitar. 

 

After college, I moved back to Mabank and some of my old friends and I started a new band. We played all sorts of genres of music but mainly focused on Top 40 Rock, Alternative and Punk. I also began writing much more intense songs with the band. We played all of Dallas, Cedar Creek, East Texas and even a show out in West Texas. Our band Blind Rumor was around for a little over 5 years before we all decided that instead of being Rock Stars, we would be start Families. We all went our separate ways but we all continued playing music at different capacities. 

 

I would set in with different worship teams at Churches from time to time. I joined the worship team and eventually became the Worship Leader at our Church for about 4 years. After a 5 year break, my brother in law and I started a new Acoustic Band called the FlyBy Niters. We play small shows at local venues where two or 3 of us play all genres of music. I continue leading worship at different Churches here and there when and wherever I can serve.

 

I have been asked many times throughout the years if I taught guitar. I never really thought I was knowledgable enough to do it however I began gibing guitar/ukulele lessons in 2023. I greatly enjoy helping people learn and grow their passion for playing music. I truly believe that learning to play guitar has been one of my greatest achievements and I continue to learn more and get better as a guitarist constantly. So, it has been extremely humbling and rewarding to be able to pass my skills on to others that have the same passion and desires for playing guitar/ukulele.