: B I O
the 90s : Some of my richest musical adventures come while attending The Triangle Church. There's always something going on, from casual jams to weddings to fundraisers to huge shows - and I'm involved in the worship music virtually every Sunday for seven years.
A Little Christmas Spirit: A modernization of Dickens' tale by the talented Bill Culpepper evolves into an annual local production, requiring pro sound and light. At its zenith the show boasts a 100-voice choir and complex dance numbers - no cute little manger scene! I have the honor of directing, rehearsing and arranging music for the show's rock orchestra for six or seven years.
Be Still, My Soul: I come up with a contemporary arrangement of the von Schlegel/Borthwick/Sibelius hymn. Meanwhile, our pastor has penned a devotional book with the same title. The church raises enough money to construct a building with its own recording studio, and I'm privileged to be part of the production of a CD, which includes an adaptation of my arrangement, to accompany the book. I record most of the acoustic and all of the electric guitars, and assist in arranging vocal harmonies.
a new millennium : The 90s, though fruitful and satisfying musically, have been miserable professionally and financially. In Autumn of '99 I land an artist job in Charlotte, and we move, now with a one year old girl, three hours west. We hook into the church family there, and I'm immediately drawn into the music ministry. After a short time I'm asked to direct the music for a generous stipend. I arrange, teach and perform music for each Sunday's service and every special event, with a bevy of talented singers and band who go wherever I take them. Intimate acoustic renditions of classic hymns, full band rock gospel grooves and stirring a cappella treatments are the norm.
Blue Train: As an outlet, I enjoy playing and making a little money throughout the region in a couple of bands. I advertise for a drummer and bassist, get them quickly, and form a power trio out of my love for blues rock in the vein of Cream, Hendrix and Mountain. The band gets around and has an enthusiastic response, but internal conflict ultimately causes us to split.
Ultralite Acoustic: This time I reply to an ad and join a light rock quartet as lead acoustic guitarist. With a lead singer/rhythm guitarist who sounds like James Taylor and two women on vocals and percussion, we cover songs by JT, Jimmy Buffett, Fleetwood Mac and the like. I delight in applying more "texture" than I tend to in electric situations. Sadly, I call it quits, as Sharon and I decide for family reasons to relocate to Colorado.