| I started playing the guitar when I was 10. I would set out of my recess periods in grade school and the principal would show me a few simple songs. Next thing I was playing at the school Christmas programs and other events. At age 11 I took a few lessons from a local guitar player named Royce Campbell. He showed me a lot of his original tunes and took me a lot of places performing around the state of OK. When I was 12, I came in 2nd in the Oklahoma State guitar contest. In 1996 I joined a bluegrass-gospel group from Sand Springs, OK called The Lively Stones. We played several churches in the central to northeast portion of Oklahoma and also the Great American Music festival at Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO. for 5 years. In 1998, one week after April and I had gotten married, I started touring with Jana Jae, from the TV show Hee-Haw. I traveled the USA playing shows with her and her band Hotwire. Having just gotten married and only working about 10 days a month with Jana, I had to get a day job as a Parts Consultant at a Chevrolet dealership. After that, I formed a group called Fraham with a buddy of mine. We played at a lot of local churches doing bluegrass-gospel music. In September 2002 I competed for the first time in the National Flat Pick Championship in Winfield,KS and took 2nd place. I was shocked! Over the years I have learned to pick up on a few more instruments like the mandolin, bass, and very little on the banjo. This spring I recorded a 5 song cd, all of just me on guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, and lead and harmony vocals. Contact me if your interested in a copy. In May, 2003, I joined Common Tyme. In June 2003 I became the Grand Lake Flatpick Champion. In September 2004 I came away from Winfield with another top 5 finish. I love to spend all my spare time with my wife April and my precious little girls, Dalyn and Lani. |
