I was born and raised near Vancouver Canada.  I began taking piano lessons around seven years old.  Like most boys my age, I hated it.  Had to practice while my friends were outside playing road hockey.  I stuck with it, thanks to Mom's persistnce.

 

    I played for fun all through high school and college, joining and forming various bands with like-minded guys with rock-star ambitions.  Never really getting off the ground.

 

    Later I got the urge to travel.  Realised that I could pay my way by playing in bars, restaurants and hotels, anywhere I wanted to be.  I ended up living on the island of Barbados for five years, working the local music scene.  Windsurfing all day, and playing and singing at night was about as good as things could get in the 80's. 

 

   But, the Jimmy Buffett life slowed down in the 90's, and I left the island.  I thought I would give cruise ships a try.  I found the gigs were fun, the conditions on-board were comfortable, drinks were cheap, and food was free.

 

So, after 25 years of cruise ships, having visited  70 countries on 5 continents, I have decided to stick around Long Beach for good.