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Influences

What a musical journey. From Led Zeppelin to the Holy Modal Rounders, I've zigged and zagged through much variety. I know what I don't like: Opera. Anyway, perhaps the most common thread has been what has been called Country Rock, Alternative Country, Cosmic American Cowboy, Insurgent Country, Crossover, whatever. This genre started with Chris Hillman and Graham Parsons but I was first bitten by the Eagles Tequila Sunrise and Peaceful Easy Feeling. America's Horse with No Name and Ventura Highway also made a mark on me. Neil Young has been a constant influence.

After a short time on piano, then on trumpet all through school, I switched to guitar. Early on I fantasized being in a "garage band" so I hunted around for some guys to play with. I played with friends who had a folk group named "The Interlocotures" who later were into bluegrass, and jammed with guys who were into the Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin. My acoustic-electric guitar just about buzzed out of my hands due to the feedback! My true taste in music was really somewhere in the middle.

I played guitar in several "start-up" bands, for events in college with one studio gig, and for years in Christian groups. Still having the fantasy to start a band I did start one in 2000. It had two lead lady singers, Wenche Lier and Cherry Hudson, but before we could really take off we had so much turnover I threw my hands in the air in despair and bagged it. Except for a smaller project and a few jams, I didn't play much at all for about five years. Now I play lead guitar once a month at a local church.

In the 60's it was the The Animals, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and The Byrds (all "The" groups). In the 70's it was Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, America. In the 80's John Mellencamp, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet, Neil Young, Rosanne Cash. In the 90's Sheryl Crow, REM, Cowboy Junkies. Now, 2000 and beyond, just gathering my music history. Not too current now, but there is so much good history to draw upon. I keep coming back to my crossover country-rock roots.

Here are some Pandora Radio Stations I put together based upon my influences.