Grew up with classical music, 40s-50s popular song, and AM rock. Just released Deep Purple “Made in Japan” was first LP purchase. After that, lots of rock, prog, classic and modern jazz, klezmer, singer-songwriter and more.

Piano lessons maybe 4 years
Recorder

Cello lessons for 3 years: In my freshman year of high school the play “Tom Jones” was staged using early music. One of the pieces required two recorders and a friend who was in the school orchestra knew I played and asked me to take part. I really enjoyed my time with this show and took up cello to hang out in the music and theater scene. I also ended up doing a lot of set building the high point being Assistant Set Designer for “Camelot.”

Started playing electric bass and joined first band on bass and lead singer
Started playing acoustic guitar

Left band and went to college

Physics Department party band on bass and lead vocals

Tenor sax lessons
Played bass for several Weekend Warrior bands
Played bass and sang backing and lead vocals for three short-lived band projects

Joined long running Eastern Iowa cover band “The Lovedogs” on bass and backing vocals

With the possibility of having ALS I dug out original piano compositions from ~1995 and original rock songs from ~2005-2007. With help of a friend I was able to team up with Joseph Norman as co-composer and Gigi Macabre as co-lyricist to complete these works. The three of us using nraakors as the project name. Using former band-mates, friends and a college senior pianist the album “Hoppel Poppel” recorded.

Diagnosed with Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome which severely limits how much time I can spend playing instruments as well as how well I can play them. My nephew Joey Kramer played bass for the recording of “Hoppel Poppel.”

Work begins on new music for follow-up album.