I can't remember a time when I was growing up that there wasn't a guitar in the house. My dad always encouraged me to play and has always been a keen music lover.

I had my first guitar lesson when I was 12 but my teacher taught me classically and, although it was a good foundation, it didn't last long!  However, my uncle used to repair equipment for lots of local entertainers and one day he handed me an electric guitar. It was an Epiphone 335, it was loud and it had a Bigsby wang bar!

Well, that was it; I wanged for hours and I was hooked! I asked for an electric guitar for Christmas; my uncle sorted me out with a Selmer amp; my dad made me a speaker cabinet and I made lots of noise! It wasn't long before I bought a distortion pedal too. My parents hated it but, needless to say, I loved it! I spent all of my time practicing and, er, not revising for my exams.... Oops!

I got myself an electric guitar teacher and ditched sixth form for Music College. While there, I was taught by Jim Birkett and the late, but very great, Bill Bennan. One of my most memorable (musical) experiences was the weekly lesson with Bill that I shared with local Country legend Jim Hornsby. Most of those lessons ended up being jam sessions with Jim and Bill; I wasn't anywhere near their league but I learned soooo much from them!

Once I left college I did lots of things to make a living; I played in a few club bands, did a very occasional jazz pick-up gig and, after answering an ad in Melody Maker, I went off round the world on a cruise ship and then back home to the clubs!  After a few years, I went into a long musical hibernation before seeing an ad for the legendary Jo James Band - I just had to call!

More recently I have started to do some gigs on my own. I have created my own website, where visitors can listen to my demo tracks, see what songs I am playing solo and find out a little more about me. Why not pay me a visit, you can even sign the guest-book to say you did!


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