As a child of age seven or eight - after my mother passed away - I remember my Dad putting my brothers and me to bed at night, getting his guitar, turning out the lights, then sitting on the hallway stairs and singing us to sleep. They were traditional Country songs for the most part - some of love, some of loss and a few were just plain silly.

I can still recall being in awe of my father's musical ability on those nights he'd serenade us, and by the time I was sixteen my Dad - having noticed my keen interest in his guitar playing - bought me a guitar of my own. He then patiently taught me how to play. Now, decades later, I'm truly grateful that he did.

I spend a good bit of my spare time these days writing songs and submitting them for publication - which is an arduous, time-consuming process, to say the least. All-in-all, however, it's still a very enjoyable hobby, and I've been humbly gratified by all of the positive responses from friends and relatives who've heard some of my songs."