Inspired by the Beatles, in the middle of 8^th grade, I bought my first guitar….a Silvertone with the amp built into the case. Remember those?

It was in high school that I started my long association with Gibson guitars, a mid sixties SG Junior. During those years, I performed in talent shows at school, the first Catholic guitar Mass in Aurora, IL, and various college coffeehouses in the Chicago area.

The next several years included stints in Colorado and California playing as a solo act or in a duo. I played whenever and wherever I could...in ski resorts, colleges, and clubs such as the Troubadour in L.A. and the Ice House in Pasadena...trying to get my foot in the door as a songwriter. Almost had one song recorded by Canned Heat!

Returning to Illinois brought with it a more serious approach to guitar playing. I earned an Associates Degree in Music, studied Jazz and Classical guitar and began a teaching career that has spanned 3 decades.

It was in the late seventies that I met and married my beautiful and very talented wife, Dia. Together we have written, performed and recorded music for nearly 30 years, and in various ways have served our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through the gifts He has given us. Since 1991 we have been the Worship Music leaders at Warehouse Church in Aurora.

All this training, experience, and God’s grace has brought me to where I am today, playing in a band with a great group of talented musicians and very, very good friends.

Many people have said, after seeing a CruiseMachine show, we really look like we’re having a lot of fun on stage, that we have a good time playing together.

They’re right, we do!

Equipment:

   1971 Martin D-28 with a Fishman pickup
   1971 Gibson Les Paul (originally a DeLuxe, but heavily modified)
   A Strat made up of Fender, ESP & Chandler parts
   A late 30’s National double neck lap steel
   Marshall JCM 800 100 watt tube combo w/2 Celestion 12” speakers

Effects include:

   Digitech RP1, Boss Distortion, Cry Baby Wah, Morley Volume, Line-6 POD.