I started on piano at age five taking lessons from my Grandmother who was the church organist. She always hit me in the knuckles with her pencil for having bad finger position and that is why I became a drummer. 

I played Viola at age eight but it interfered with my quest to be the youngest pro quarterback in the NFL. So that never went anywhere. 

I desperately wanted to be John Lennon as shown here. They wouldn't let me have a real guitar so I drew a Ric on cardboard. They do that now with all pop acts, ya know.

I sang in the North Fulton High School special choir but suffered severe psychological damage when they stopped their famous world tours the year I joined. I had to settle for a trip to Marietta. 

After various failed acts a big break occurred when I toured with Millie Jackson and Jackie Moore. Thousands of people all waiting to see me play. As it turned out though, I was just the opening act and only hired so their drummer didn't have to bring his drums. Ah, life on the road. It did lead to a demo for Mercury at Bill Lowery's old schoolhouse studio. Man this studio stuff is cool! 

Who me, quit show business? I worked as a pro audio engineer for almost 10 years, won a Peabody Award for radio production (just had to send in the form), trained engineering students in recording techniques, had enough album credits to vote on the Grammy’s but never did since I didn't want anyone to think I voted for the drivel that won (Millie Vanilli anyone?). I think the highlight there was the endless hours recording sermons... or was it the string of Opera singers who kept blowing up mics? Mmmm, I love the smell of tape oxide in the mornings. 

Giving up for the musical dead and left to raise a family, I decided I would learn every Chris Squire lick and become a bass player. All drummers want to be bass players. I could play the bass but nobody could sing what I wrote, especially me! That's when I met Gene who couldn't sing it either but boy, can he play guitar. Once he got sick of the country music we were playing we met Scott and the rest is pure musical magic. Or was that trickery?