songwriter-artist-human-optimistic pessimist
I made this page as a bridge to my music and yourself…
I am a performing songwriter…I write songs… I play them, I record them, I love to rock out... I don't care if its to 2 people or 500...solo or with a band...It's all about pouring your guts out while you still can... I wish the world would hear my songs...That's what I do...
I help people if I can… Sure I "produce" other folks... but the term “producer” is (to me) a pretentious term, and a blanket word... i stay away from that moniker when I can…but maybe it's unavoidable? I like to call it "giving it a makeover" ... that makes it sound more refreshing doesn't it? I rebuild, I construct and de construct a song from it's inner workings... I love doing that. Finding the meaning behind everything... what really is it about?
That’s about it… after that i can chose all kinds of frilly words like “killer”, “adventurous”, “groundbreaking”, “ethereal”, “hypoglycemic”, “gelatinous”, and such, to describe myself…but that is all just pretentious self gratification and fluff words …you’ve heard it all before… there isn’t a pronoun, adverb, adjective that will magically make you go “wow, i gotta meet this cat” … so i will break it down below.
FORMERLY from the NW PA AREA bands (Psyclone 1993-1996/Seahollies 1997-2005/Pipeyard 2005-2008) as well as many projects before and during. I did my time, played many a late night gig…made some good friends, lost a few good friends, traveled around a lot… lost myself, and found myself again many times, played every bar, hole in the wall in the area for years...made a lot of songs along the way, and even played other peoples too...it will all be in the book. My claim to fame was a bass player for a lot of years. Ive done my 10,000 hours on stage and off many times over... The bass is my weapon of choice... but i am a guitar player/singer/multi guy too.... it'll be on the book someday (sorry no tab included)
I was also a radio DJ in the late 90s at a college station, when you could actually hear rock on the radio that wasn’t spoon fed production dribble and playlists …’nuf said there…it’ll all be in the book someday…
After the hayday and regional success of SEAHOLLIES and PIPEYARD i was emotionally burnt out. I had to reinvent myself. The hoardes of screaming moshpits and D-Tuned riffs took the toll on me...I had to figure out life for a while...so i went SOLO as Letters to the Dead ... and i switched hats to sing and play guitar. Since the solo undertaking I have had many trials and tribulations, I went from ravenous crowds standing on chairs...to being criticized by 15 crossarmed hipsters in an intimate setting... It was humbling...
I re established my name and motivations - found love - lost love - heard the sounds of my environment - listened to the stories of strangers and beer soaked bars...
As time went on my need for octane resurfaced but i choose now to add it in when needed...the perfect blend of hook and fire...Rock N Roll...as they say "it either kills you or gives you new life"
Hence the new lineup and extension of me I call the REBEL SOULS ....
And even when nobody was looking I joined a country rock band on bass ...yeah i did it (back to the bass)...why not?! The extra money sure is good and the people are cool...and man ...can some of those nashville guys write a hook?...Heck yeah...but thru it all I once again re invented myself - under the umbrella called the WHISKEY ROAD ... I do that and enjoy the stress free comradery...THE GUYS IN THE BAND ARE TOP NOTCH and good good friends nowadays...hey the people like it...
AND I LOVE doing it ...WE HAVE A LOT OF LAUGHS and sure can whip up the party....
and yes I love doing my REBEL SOULS...life has come full circle...I help who needs helped - I create...i help sell the party when I can...and avoid it when I'm not....and I enjoy life and wait for the mothership to arrive...
I have done it all it seems...good and bad... but one thing always holds true... I write about my life and real things…I spend way too much time in the studio…and I think too much...and I wish the world could hear my work. Got any ideas? ITS A DIFFERENT WORLD IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY NOW..." ---- social media and marketing isnt a hat that looks good on me...i wear too many as we speak now...I just let the music speak for itself... thats all I can do until someone gets my message in a bottle... cheeers!
I will quote verse 3 - from a song I wrote called "Nostalgic Enough" .... "Days of the rock song are way long gone...marketing money makes the world sing along...not much left so let's do it for the thrills, cause honesty and music ... never paid the bills"