I started singing about the time I learned to speak.  We never performed as a family, but music was always a big part of our family's life together.  We all played at least one instrument and were enrolled in church choir as soon as we were old enough.  Being a Navy family, we moved rather frequently, so there were often long road trips to visit relatives and friends.  Our favorite pass-time on these long rides (next to the alphabet game) was singing.  We all developed a knack for harmonizing early on, mostly on hymns and old gospel favorites.  A few American pop standards were thrown in as well, though I learned most of those years later at Opryland USA.  My mom's favorite music outside of church was country/western, so that's what the car radio was usually tuned for.  As kids we hated it, but later when I went to Nashville to attend college and begin my career, I actually warmed to the genre.  While I've always leaned more toward pop, my mother's listening taste and my years in Music City both had an undeniable influence on who I am as a singer and songwriter.

In the late 60's and early 70's, when I was in high school, a revolutionary phenomenon began to sweep through mainstream Protestant churches, especially Southern Baptist, where I was spending lots of time.  This new medium was known as the "Christian Youth Musical," and it was designed to catch the ear of the new generation by relating the Gospel message through folk, pop, and sometimes even rock music.  It definitely drew my attention, and resulted in my enrolling at Belmont College in Nashville, not because of country music, but because Nashville was the headquarters of Southern Baptists and the source of many Christian Youth Musicals.  While studying voice and church music at Belmont, I began working as a studio singer on the original recordings of a plethora of these musicals. 

Midway through my studies I changed my major to Music Business and began working as a singer/dancer at Opryland USA.  Opryland was my introduction to the world of theatre and more popular American standards than I ever knew existed.  My experiences at Opryland, both personal and professional, are cherished memories to this day.  It was there that I fell in love with the romantic ballad...and the spotlight.  Before leaving Nashville for the west coast, I toured as lead singer for a revival of the 60's trio, The Vogues, and played the title role in a dinner theatre tour of "The Robber Bridegroom." 

Arriving in Los Angeles in January of 1982, I landed a coveted spot in the L.A. Civic Light Opera Musical Theatre Workshop.  This was an invaluable experience, studying with several masters in the field and directly leading to some memorable work including: a DramaLogue Award winning run as Tony in "West Side Story"; a solo performance with the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl; and a national tour with Alvin and the Chipmunks. Don't laugh...they were my personal childhood favorites and no, I wasn't a Chipmunk. I played the Dave Seville character in malls and theme parks across the country.  After showcasing in several popular Hollywood cabarets, I found my way back into Contemporary Christian music.

Several years in L.A., and several odd jobs to supplement my entertainer's income, led me to seek a change of pace and scenery, so I boarded the beautiful Crystal Harmony and thought I'd found Paradise.  As lead singer in several lavishly produced and elaborately costumed musical revues, I travelled the globe, ate like a king, and didn't mind the celebrity treatment one bit.  But after 3 years, even Paradise can become a little confining.  I'd fantasized about living in New York for years and now I was ready.

While I haven't made the anticipated "big splash" on Broadway or television, I've settled into a very pleasant life between the City and Greenwich, Connecticut, where, over the past several years, I've developed a children's choir program at St. Michael the Archangel Church.  This work was completely unexpected, but is without question the most important and often the most impactful work of my career to date.  Another highlight of spending time in Greenwich is being with three of the most wonderful golden retrievers in the world.  Kids and dogs - they're a whole new life for me.  While being Uncle Michael has been my most cherished role for years now, actually having a hand in children's artistic development, and seeing them grow week to week, has been an astounding revelation and a blessing.  

I continue to pursue and enjoy some singing and acting work in New York, and appear frequently in print ads as a dad, a doctor or a businessman, but it's sharing my experience with eager, young talent that really inspires me these days.  There's also great peace in having found my way back into church music, where I started out.  My involvement at St. Michael  has become a very special part of my life, particularly since experiencing together the tragedy of September 11th last year, when we lost 11 of our parish family.  Even now, as we approach another Christmas season with uncertainty as to where we're headed as a nation and as a world, it's children who give us hope for the future and a reason to continue in our quest for a better way.  Having "my kids" voices on "These Make the Season" is as great a joy for me as it was to wake on Christmas morning when I was their age.  I hope you'll order the CD, listen to it, and enjoy it for many blessed and peaceful Christmases to come.