INSTRUMENTS: vocals, keyboards, bass guitar, 12-string guitar, percussions
OTHER FUNCTION: mediator, producer, authority figure, programmer, song writer
DOB:: 19 May
ORIGIN: Burlington, Vermont, USA
CURRENT LOCALE: Washington, USA
MISC: usually avoids direct sunlight for lengthy periods, enjoys autumn in New England, prefers cookie dough ice cream and proper bourbon (not necessarily together)

I never really started listening to music of my choice until 1986. I had always been a ‘listen-to-what-your-mom-listens-to’ kind of kid. I remember hearing Neil Diamond, Jim Croce, Kim Karnes, The Oakridge Boys, Dr. Hook (RIP), John Cougar Mellencamp, and that sort of thing. I had never even considered that there was other music. When I made the conscious decision to start listening to FM radio, I was mostly disappointed. There wasn’t much music that I really cared for. The other problem I had was that my hometown didn’t have a music store. Well, not one of any repute. It was called Pacific Street Video (and music) – and yes, the “and music” part was in parentheses to indicate its relevance… I did manage to find one cassette tape (since no one had invented CDs or mp3s (or internet) yet) that I was able to purchase for around $8. The cassette was “Please” from The Pet Shop Boys and I decided that this was the type music I wanted to listen to. I had no interest in the Van Halen’s, Wham’s, or Janet Jackson’s of the FM standard. The nearest music store that had a decent selection was 30 miles away and pretty much only sold the stuff you would hear on American Top 40. The closest city that had the kind of music I wanted to hear was closer to 200 miles away. No small distance for a kid whose fastest mode of transportation was a ten-speed bike. Eventually one of my friends became old enough to drive so we could make the journey and spend that hard-earned allowance money on ‘imports’ (and gas to get there and back). Anyway, that’s about how it went. I bought music from Europe, wore dark colors, grew my hair long in the front and kept it short in the back. I never rode a skateboard, but I got lumped into the goth/skater/new waver crowd at school – I’m not sure what they call that group now. I had no regrets about that. Those were the best friends I could ever hope to have. Graduated High School, moved to Seattle to go to music school and have been floundering about in the northwest ever since.

INFLUENCES: Camouflage, Pet Shop Boys, OMD, Depeche Mode, Housemartins, Beautiful South