"After all it's what we've done that makes us what we are" - Jim Croce

At a very young age, I became fascinated with rhythms.  I would tap on anything I could.  I would tap with my hands or with pencils, rulers, whatever was handy.  And I would tap on whatever was close by.  I'd use my thighs, a desk or table, even my brother's head became a percussion instrument!  Anything to play the rhythms that were going on in my head.  In their defense, mostly to get me to stop banging on the furniture, my parents bought me a set of bongo drums, which I have to this day (Quality stuff lasts and lasts!).  That was the beginning of my musical career.

Growing up when I did, most middle class families expected their children to learn some piano.  It was no different with me.  Two years I spent poking at piano keys under the tutelage of Mrs. Butler.  I proved to be good at music theory because I was a pretty good at memorizing and I can still play a few notes on the piano but, probably because I didn't practice between lessons, I was never very good at actually playing the piano.

We moved when was about 13 years old and I was told that I could continue piano lessons in my new home with a new teacher or I could choose another instrument to learn.  1970 was squarely in the middle of the Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist era.  My influences were Jim Croce, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, James Taylor and the like, so it was only natural for me to want to pick up the guitar.  My parents bought me an inexpensive acoustic "Harmony" (I think that was the brand) guitar.

The guitar was not very good by today's standards.  It was difficult to play but it was MINE and I loved it!

I have no idea why I got involved in the school chorus in eighth grade but it was in the music department where I found my home away from home.  Reading, Writing and Arithmetic came fairly easily to me (Except I do remember a summer I spent practicing my multiplication tables!) but I never really enjoyed them.  Singing though...THAT was fun.

Moving on to High School, the wonderful Miss Elizabeth Gallas brought life to the songs and encouraged  those of us who were interested to improve and improve we did.  Miss Gallas coached us to the pinnacle of musical success in our state as participants in the "All-State" Chorus.  For a small town our high school had more people earn the right to participate in the state chorus than all but 2 of the largest cities.

Partnering with an English teacher Mr. Arthur Delault (sp?), Miss Gallas and Mr. Delault (I still can't call them by their first names!) started the ambitious project of holding a High School Musical each Spring.  I became very involved with everything theater and musical throughout high school.  I performed in 4 musicals and many a Christmas concert, "All-State Chorus", Marching Band, High School Ensemble (As a drummer) and of course, a small rock band.

I credit the high school music department for keeping me in school.  If it hadn't been for my involvement in music, chorus and musical theater, I am certain I would have been just another high school drop out statistic.  Never let them tell you that music is not a core avenue of study.  It is not something that you can just discard when the budgets get tight.  It is just as important (arguably MORE important) as "The three Rs".

Through college, my guitar was my constant and faithful companion.  I also continued to play the drums that I had purchased during my Junior year in High School.  Guitar and vocals eventually won the battle for primary focus as drums are tough to transport and not a real big solo instrument.  You kind of need other people with you to play the drums and they are not particularly well suited for songwriting.  I continued playing guitar every chance I could and for anyone who would listen.

But...life sometimes gets in the way of passion, and the need to earn a living interrupted my musical carpet ride.  Nobody teaches how to earn a living as a musician.  Oh yes, you can become a "Music major" in college  and learn musical technique.  Nobody, at least where I was located, was around to guide you into a musical career.  Theater careers took you to L.A. or New York City and, as a kid raised in rural NH, I was not particularly keen on setting my sites on a career that would take me, I believed, to "The Big City"

Oh, don't get me wrong, I kept up playing my guitar at every "Open Mike" night I could find and brought the guitar to parties hoping someone would ask me to break it out of the case.  I even tried playing in restaurants and bars for a while but there was never enough in it to support and feed me and I DO like to eat!  So music as a real life choice and career got put on "Hobby" status.

In 2001 I went to Dallas, TX to record my first CD - "Americana...Trains, trains and more" (No longer available).  What a great experience!  Click Here to read all about it.

Since 2001 I have been performing all around New England.  I have even taken a short "Tour" to Florida and Hilton Head.  The ride has been a lot of fun!

I continue to perform as a kind of Troubadour of classic/traditional music that I enjoy playing and the audience enjoys and recognizes.  I like to say that I play music that was popular "Before volume became an instrument!" Call it Americana, Traditional Country, Folk but you will call it FUN.  My style is energetic and engaging.  I like to bring my audiences to life! I individually craft and customize each show for the intended audience and take the listener on an emotional tour that includes inspiration, patriotism, nostalgia, humor, joy and much more.

You will hear recognizable tunes, made popular by artists such as Hank Snow, Glen Miller, Ernest Tubb, The Kingston Trio, Hank Williams, Woodie Guthrie, Elvis Presley, and more! I also perform some of my own compositions, some of which have received radio airplay on "The Folk Show" on NH Public Radio and other "Americana" Stations around the country.

I look forward to seeing you at one of my performances!!!

Live your Dream!

Rob!