Well, looking back on it now, I really can't remember why I decided I wanted to play guitar. I was always envious of someone who could play an instrument, and I think that's what got the better of me! All I know is I got my very first guitar (classical) on Christmas 1993 when I was 14. At that time I had no idea how to read music, or indeed anything about any other kind of music except country and oldies. But soon that would change, bwa ha ha ha!!

My sister is a huge A.C.Doyle buff (she's a member of the Doyle Society of North America), and my parents suggested to her that it might be cool to learn to play the violin like Holmes did. She wasn't interested (she doesn't like music that much), so I said "I'll learn!" So, on Christmas 1994, I received the violin. My guitar training came in handy, as I shocked my teacher by bringing in bluegrass fiddle tune (like The Johnson Boys) and arrangements of classical music--on my 4th violin lesson!

And just last Christmas, my parents got me a Great Highland bagpipe practice chanter. That one's not hard to figure out...I've loved bagpipes since I was 3 years old! In fact when I was 3, my Mom asked me "Matt, what instrument would do you want to play?" and I replied without hesitation "Bagpipes!" The dreams of youth!!!

--Mbo