Well, I've not been shy before, so why change? I was born right here in Carroll County in 1946. Well, my Mom actually went to the hospital in Baltimore for my birth, but she brought me right back here! I was the middle child of 5 and the first one who was not "planned".

In 1952, my parents moved the family out of the town of Westminster into the country. They felt the "big city" (pop. 4,000 or so) would have a bad influence on their children. The radio was always on at my house; pop music and early country western. When it came time to take up an instrument in school I was pointed towards the drums because I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I sang all the time anyway.

'Twas a relatively good upbringing. My sophomore year in high school I became enamored with folk music. My older brother had a Gibson Les Paul which he had obtained by trading in my younger sister's accordian. I began learning guitar on that. I received my first guitar as a Christmas present, a Gibson classical guitar It's been around a bit. First I sold it to my oldest sister. Then I bought it back from her to give to my wife as a Christmas present. I often think I would like to purchase it back just for the sentimental value.

I played in two folk music trio's (two guys and a gal of course) during high school and played solo at many a party.

I hosted a folk music show at my college radio station and started my record collection with Tom Rush's first Elektra album. I started subscribing to Sing Out! about the same time. I began to listen to a good deal of rock and roll about this time as well.

Entered the US Army directly after getting my BA degree in Chemistry. Spent three years including a tour of Vietnam. I got my first taste of a world beyond the Middle Atlantic section of the US of A. I somehow, also found my singing voice in the Army.

Played folk music singly and in groups for a few years after the Army. Spent one year as a Junior Chemist. I stumbled into the field of substance abuse treatment during that year.

Marriage in 1973 put a damper on my performing except for occasional playing at parties. Two kids. Boys. One is twenty-two and living in San Francisco. The other is eighteen and just graduated from high school. I divorced about 10 years ago. It is a decision I have never regretted except for the impact on the boys. Our marital conflict, however, also had a negative impact on the boys. For the last 4 or 5 I have been pretty much a single parent as my ex moved to Texas and the boys stayed here in Maryland.

Began to perform frequently at open mics after my divorce and developed a stage presence I had not had before. I consider myself an entertainer by hobby. I still work in substance abuse treatment and can still say I like my job.

Nearly 6 years ago, I met Marge. I can truly say I've never known a love like this before. When I was in college, they told me those years would be the happiest of my life. I am glad that was a lie. I would have to say the last 6 years meet that criteria very well.

In February or March of 1998, I went on-line for the first time. Within a few weeks, I discovered the Mudcat. It has been addictive. It seems to me that it comes close to William Glasser's definition of a positive addiction.

No one will make a movie of my life or write a biography, but it has been interesting to me. The older I get the more I value all parts of my life, the good and the bad.

I am concerned, however, that I have developed a significant guitar habit. When I divorced, I owned one guitar. I now own seven. I think I am on the verge of being a collector. My most recent purchase resulted from attending an "Invitation Only" sale at MARS. They had a little travel guitar made by Crafter (perhaps a division of Hohner). It is an acoustic-electric with a "plastic" body and a wooden top. It was better than 50% off. I liked it better than my Mc Nally Backpacker so I bought it. I've been happy with it for 2 months. Even performed a little Charlie Patton on it at an open-mic. To my way of thinking, the blues don't always sound "right" on a fine guitar. They need a little roughness.

Big RiB