Performing solo is the way I began. As soon as I learned my first acoustic Neil Young tune I wanted to play it for people. My first influences were heavy bands like Judas Priest, Black Sabbath etc. and my goal was to play as loud as possible. At some point in life I found myself with an electric guitar and no amplifier (I guess your not supposed to turn them up to eleven all the time). Without the money to buy a new amp, I simply traded my 1972 Ibanez Artist for a Fender acoustic (he saw me coming). After that I had to start listening to acoustic music or else I wouldn't have anything to play.
I am originally from Sault Ste. Marie and right around this time I started hanging around the local bars that highlighted local solo musicians like Jim Young and John Macdonald. This group of people allowed me the opportunity to play along with them, learn alot of the songs they played and how they played them. From this I developed a strong interest in musicians like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, America, Tom Petty, and Gordon Lightfoot. All of which I still love listening to and playing today.
