Early Roots & First Notes My lifelong passion for traditional fiddling took root in the late 1970s at the annual "Fiddlers' Picnic" in Osceola, New York. Surrounded by the cheerful strains of the New York State Old Time Fiddlers Association and inspired by visiting Canadian artists like Graham and Eleanor Townsend, Ed Gyurki, and Tony Burtnik, a deep appreciation for authentic string music was born.

Learning by Ear: The Murph Baker Era While formal school violin lessons proved uninspiring, I found my true calling under the mentorship of Winifred "Murph" Baker, an authentic champion fiddler from Champion, New York. Playing a family fiddle passed down from my great-grandfather in Florida, I learned the traditional way: purely by ear, using personalized cassette recordings. Murph passed on the rare, unwritten tunes he had learned playing local dances, instilling in me a profound respect for the aural tradition.

A Return to the Strings Following the passing of my mentor in 1986, I temporarily set the instrument aside—a pause that continued through my years of service in the United States Army Military Police Corps. Yet, the music never truly left me. A return visit to the Fiddlers' Picnic and the inspiring sounds of Canadian fiddler Ivan Hicks reignited the spark. By the late 1990s, I was back to playing vibrant contra, square, and round dances with the "Crooked Stovepipe" band.

Preserving the Heritage Today, I remain a dedicated steward of New York's musical history. Currently serving as Vice President of the NYSOTFA Central Chapter, and deeply honored as a 2016 inductee into the New York State Fiddlers Hall of Fame, I continue to perform, entertain, and share the foundational sounds of the Empire State.