In his own words

Here's my life in a nutshell. 

I was raised in a coal mining town in Mt.Clare WV. That's were I first started playing (learning) the guitar at about the age of 7. My whole family played music, Dad, Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles and most of my cousins. The only thing you did in Mt. Clare was work the coal mines, play music & make babies!! We had no TV, no indoor plumbing, and for a short time no electric.

My Dad got laid off in the mine after 25 years and headed to Akron when I was about 11.We moved to East Akron where everybody also played music, (but a big change).. "Motown, Blues & Jazz.

While in grade school at Robinson Elementary, the music teacher introduced me to the snare drum. Within the same year I got an old used set of drums. and by 1962 I was getting together with some of the local musicians playing little blues & jazz sessions as a drummer. My influences were Buddy Rich, Sandy Nelson, Ringo Starr, Elvin Jones, Redd Holt (of the Ramsey Lewis Trio), Gene Krupa and Charlie Watts. 

While playing drums for Motown amd Jazz groups, I was also playing guitar for a small folk group called "Lori, Larry & Sue". We did mostly protest and Peter Paul & Mary type tunes. I entered the Army in 1968 served in Vietnam & Okinawa. While in Okinawa (as a drummer) I played for the Special Services NCO Club. We formed a "Big Swing Band" like Benny Goodman or Glen Miller style (just not as good) to play for dances for the troops inOkinawa. The highlight of my life was to meet Les Brown & Bob Hope. We got to open for them. It was truelyla big thrill to meet them back stage. (I also got to meet Ann Margaret,...I was in Love!!!) 

When I came out of the Army, I started drifting back to the guitar. By 1978-79, I got heavy into playing back-up for Ceili bands as a rythum guitarist for dances.

 I started playing with MUS back in the early 90's, I'm not sure of the year. It has been a wonderful experience to play with these wonderful musicians. I've played with a lot of different bands, and MUS ranks as one of the best and the most fun. There is such a diverse array of talent in the group and such wonderful people. I don't get to play with them as much as I would like and I don't get to the meetings because I teach guitar in the evenings. But when I do it's always an enjoyable time and I really appreaciate Vici and the group allowing me to play with them.

(editor's note: We love you, too, Larry!)