Hometown: Cromwell, Indiana, USA

Years playing: As long as there has been light in the sky, Animal Husbandry, and fruit on the Earth......or 24 years, whichever comes first.

Why did you start playing: My first concert was KISS in 1978. From that moment on, I wanted to play guitar. I immediately started banging around on my Mother's old acoustic. Then I learned how to tune and play chords. Pure Rock and Roll is the reason why.

Equiptment: Two Custom Hardtail Voodoo style Fender Strats w/DiMarzio Humbuckers. I built both of them myself. Maybe I could build one for you? Ask me. I use a Randall Warhead 2X12 Combo amp with an Avatar 2X12 extension cabinet, all Celestion Speakers, a Dunlop 535 wah pedal, Dean Markley LTHB strings, and Dean Markley Heavy Nylon picks.

Major Influences: Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Bruce, Glen Buxton, Jimmy Page, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Eddie Van Halen, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Rick Neilsen, Dan Dickerson, Frank Hawks, Dimebag, Ted Nugent, Neil Young, Pete Townshend, Malcom & Angus Young, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, My Mother......the list goes on...

Favorite Bands: KISS, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Blizzard of Ozz, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Neil Young, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, Beatles, Black Crowes, Tool, System of a Down, Pantera, Static-X, GWAR, A Perfect Circle, Magic Company, Two Many People, Powerseed, and Coda (of course).

Musical Career Highlights: I once got to open up for a national country act at Pierre's with "Billy Goat Gruff". Yee Haw! Another time, I got to play three nights in a row with a different band each night. One of those nights was at the Noble county fairgrounds opening up for a national act. Every night is like another highlight in my career.

Previous Bands: Zonk, Reason, Bedside Manor, The Lost, Tankhead, Powerseed, Billy Goat Gruff, The Elvis and Hammer Band, Two Many People...

Most embarassing show moment: In the mid 1990's at PJ's in Nappanee with Billy Goat Gruff. At the beginning of 'Killing in the name of...' I had planned on doing a big leap into the center of the dance floor from the stage. There was a packed house, but the dance floor was empty. I was ready, wireless and all. The drummer counted it off. I jumped with perfect timing so as to land at the opening crash of the song. A wonderful, soaring, flying leap it was. What I had failed to realize was that there had been a few dancers with their drinks out on the dance floor, and it was quite slippery. When I landed, with much force, in the middle of the dance floor, my feet instantly shot out from under me. Time froze for a second. I landed hard, flat on my back, and slid for a few feet. While I lay there motionless, except for the waves of laughter coarsing through my body, Dan Dickerson (being wireless, also) saw fit to take advantage of the situation, proceeded to run out to where I was at, and jump directly on top of me. This, of course, would make the audience believe that we had planned the whole thing. YEAH RIGHT! Luckily, not being seriously injured, I remained conscious and finished the song from the floor. Then I limped back to the stage to lick my wounds and finish the night, tail between my legs. Most embarassing, indeed.

Favorite Quote: "The Electric Yellow's got me by the Brain Banana!" - One of Chief Wiggum's officer's in the Simpson's episode where Homer discovers his middle name and Hippie roots. He was referring to Homer's 'special' drink, which he was obviously enjoying, made out of vegetables and Mushrooms from the Hippie commune. A true and timeless classic.

"I want to sincerely thank John Finken and the Coda boys for letting me play in their band. They're a good bunch of Joe's.""I also want to thank my family for putting up with Daddy's Rock and Roll habit. Charms, David, and Grace, You guys rock!