1. How old were you when you knew your life was going to be art? I have distinct memories of daydreaming about music in the second grade classroom. I’d tap my fingers on the desk as if I was playing notes some imaginary keyboard, with a melody going on in my brain.

 

2. When did you start for real? Band, orchestra and private horn lessons started in the fifth grade. My first teachers seemed to think I had a good ear.

 

3. Were you single minded in this pursuit or did you train/educate for a "real" job?

I didn’t pursue a post-secondary education, instead opting to play music in bars, taking various day jobs when necessary.  

 

4. School - Did it help, hinder, or immaterial? A few of my music teachers were very helpful to me. One of he best things they did for me was to create opportunities to play frequently in public. Showing me how to play with or without sheet music was important.

 

5. Who supported your decisions? My parents supported me. They were older when they had me, so they didn’t get out as much when I began to play in louder environments. But they gave me everything I needed while I was in school, and never discouraged me in any way. I know they loved getting postcards from all over the globe. My wife Annette has always been very loving and supportive.

 

6. Do you have family?  And where are they? I’m happily married, and have siblings and cousins all over the country.

 

7. What gigs stand out to you, looking back? I enjoyed working with Texas tenor sax man Clifford Scott. During my eight years with Jimmy LaFave I had some wonderful gigs around the country, and all across the world. We did “Austin City Limits.” My three years touring with Gary Primich was a joy. We had a great band, and we got to back up people like Hubert Sumlin and Billy Boy Arnold. I loved my five years with the Cornell Hurd Band, playing all of those memorable Jovita’s gigs. The list of sit-in’s still blows my mind. Lazy Lester, Pinetop Perkins, Johnny Bush, Glenn Tilbrook and dozens of others would show up and play.  

 

8. Who did you like performing with? My old pal Marvin Dykhuis, T Jarrod Bonta, Jim Stringer, Rosie Flores, Andrew Nafziger, Greg Izor, Willie Pipkin, Mike and Corey Keller, Warren Hood, Emily Gimble, Ted Roddy, Lisa Pankratz, Mike Buck, Eve Monsees, Jesse Harris, Jim Starboard, Casper Rawls, Steve Doerr, Jordan Cook, Jason Corbiere, Mark Hays, Josh Fulero. This represents a slice of my experiences over the last few years. A complete Texas list would be five pages long.

 

9. What do you see as your best work? I’m still learning, hopefully playing smarter rather than harder. I can no longer rely on pure stamina. Between 1986 and 2001 I played constantly; in Austin, on the road and in the studio. That was some good work. I still enjoy the recordings I did with Gary Primich, Jimmy LaFave and Cornell Hurd.   

 

10. Has your outlook on fame changed since you've achieved it? Fame? That question would fall in the category of “Not Applicable.”

 

11. Has notoriety changed you? If I have any notoriety, I know obtaining it is not nearly as important as I once thought it was.

 

12. Do you feel satisfied with yourself? Yes.

 

13. How do you want to be remembered? “His music made me smile.”  

 

14. What are you currently working on? I have a full time straight job, but maintain some monthly gigs with T Jarrod Bonta and Rosie Flores, as well as Greg Izor. I’m on a lot of sub lists, with bands such as The Peacemakers, The Jo’s House Band and Paul Oscher. I occasionally back some spoken word shows by The Amazing Hancock Brothers. There’s not always quantity, but there’s definitely quality.

 

15. Is it as easy as it looks? Nope.

 

16. Is it fun? I have a lot of fun playing these days.

 

18. What would you say to wannabee performers? “Have no fear.”

 

19. Do you have pets, what kind? No.

 

20. What's more important - Talent or hard work? Hard work would have a slight edge.

 

21. Xtra. What is your take on MP3 downloads? The pay rate is not what it should be. The genie is out of the bottle, and I don’t know what it’s going to take to make it fairer. How do you pass a digital tip jar?