For as long as I can remember when I was growing, I wanted to sing and play instruments - piano and guitar specifically. We had a piano in our house. I obtained a guitar at age 11 or so for Christmas one year. I played piano every day I can remember growing up. I began copyrighting my songs as early as 1974.

Several years ago I was asked to write the unit songs for a childrens' program which was being developed.
Seventeen (17) songs later the program is a success and is now in it's 4th year and beginning to repeat a complete cycle again, being a 3-year program. The songs have been loved by the teachers and the kids, and many times the songs have been one of the main tools the children have used to help them easily remember God's Word in their lessons.

Using home and computer courses along with what I already knew, I taught both my children music as they grew. They then continued on in the instruments they loved.

I taught one the basics of how to play Guitar at home. He then went on to take lessons and is quite good, but makes a living building excellent flash web sites working for Aniden Interactive in Houston, TX - (he did not build my site) check out his previous work - www.starvininhouston.com; (not his current company).
I taught the other child the basics how to play Piano and she is currently studying piano (minor) in college, among other things. She is an excellent photographer; visit her New Site and her huge Gallery. A couple of years ago my beautifully restored upright piano (with gorgeous lattice work) went to live with my daughter in VA, now she has something nice to play on.

I have been playing Piano since as long as I can remember; took 2 years of lessons during 4 -5th grades. The piano instructor refused to teach me anymore because he said I was unable to learn to "read" notes or count time adequately for him. Although, I could play with skill (my 4th grade recollection of the events) any piece he gave me to play. I apparently had a mental block about learning to read notes and if I heard a piece once, I could play it. At that age I didn't understand why I needed more. I now regret doing that and wish I had pushed myself to learn - my weakness in music theory has been a stumbling area for me. But it has never stopped me from knowing what "I think" sounds right. I took a few more years of piano lessons as an adult around 1985 to brush up on the mechanics of how to get around on the keys. My daughter who is studying music in college now even asks me "how do you know to do that?", because it puzzles her that the understanding comes so naturally to me. I sometimes think it maybe - aside from a gift from God - it might be because my mother played scales and practiced diligently the whole time I was very, very young. I owe a lot of it to her.

I remember always loving music and instruments. As a family when we would visit my favorite Aunt Mamie, all the kids would be outside playing but I would be inside playing her pianos and organs. She said I could play them as long as I wanted - so long as I did not "bang on the keys" on them.. So I played my heart out. All day. I let kids do the same at my home.

I began playing guitar around age 10 on a Sears "Harmony" guitar, which I begged relentlessly for and received for Christmas one year. It however sat around for about a year or so before I began to really try to learn to play. But once I got serious, there was no turning back. I made a deal with my father that if I stopped making "noise" with it and really learned how to play that he would buy me a real guitar. I learned in a few months and was playing every song I could think of. He kept his word and bought me a nice Lyle 6 string at the local furniture store in Muskegon, Michigan. HA. Anyway it was decent enough. It took me to the next level.

As a teen I played with local kids, even with a little band. One year I played with our 4-H club and we took 1st place in 4-H the competition and were invited to go to State Competition. After I grew as an adult Christian, the Guitar became a staple to my life in Christ and I began to write a great deal.

By the sovereign hand of God I became part of Shiloh Youth Revivals. I went from Michigan to Wisconsin, then to Oregon for Bible School, where I traded my sturdy little "Lyle" guitar in for a "Takimine" and continued to practice and play. When I was not studying or working, I would grab another person or two and we would use my guitar and music it as a means of outreach for Christ by singing songs and witnessing the "Good News of Jesus" in the "Jesus People" days.

I traveled across the country quite a bit, and made to to New York City, always continuing to write and play. While in New York I had a wonderful opportunity to work and play music with an evangelistic team in Central Park as they would put on skits and evangelize the people passing by. It was lots of fun and an incredible experience I will never forget. Sometimes I would be lucky enough to collaborate writing with other great brothers and sisters in Christ.

Eventually, I made my way to Columbus, Ohio. Yeah - what could be there? HA!? Well. That was some of the greatest time ever in my life. God had some wonderful time planned for me there. Even in the most drab of places God has a plan. I traded up with my guitar and got a better Takimine. I became part of a program with my church, "Shiloh" where I helped a single mom become established. I lived with her and helped care for her children while she worked so she didn't have to worry about childcare costs. Those details are in my testimony. The blessings of that were that Donna and I became best friends and also sang beautifully together. I have never sang with anyone like I did with her. She was like the second voice in my head. Our voices harmonized together like butter and God blessed the household.

Surprisingly Donna and I each met men from the same (different than where we were attending) church and married.

Continually I seek God to learn what He has for me musically. I know He has a place for me, and I expect it to change constantly over the years. I played in a small band "Warriors for Christ" in Rhode Island for a while. Also "Christian's Heart." Made a couple of semi-professional recordings. I Have been part of church choirs and worship teams, I had the opportunity to lead music for much of the time I was with Shiloh using guitar. That seems like such a different world, so long ago.. Now, simply writing for our children's program is what has taken up most of my musical energy during the last few years. I am always working to perfect the music that has been produced so far, about 17 songs for the kids. It is a blessing that they are all being used and the children really love them. I havesome kids asking for the songs on CD so they can listen to them at home. That's a good sign. Since most of the songs are basically constructed of scripture, these kids will have God's word rooted in their hearts just by singing God's Word--not some silly nursery rhyme.

While writing the children's songs is definitely a direction God has placed me in, I am always working on writing praise music and other contemporary type Christian music. I enjoy it very much, although I miss terribly being able to collaborate with other musicians. That is the one thing my current church is short on--good musicians who have time to collaborate. I pray for God to provide.

Lots of people love music the way I do and I am blessed to be even a small part of such a gifted group of people. I just wish I had more to offer.