I didn't, maybe my Mom or Dad did, or maybe it was written on the delivery room wall...

Yes - Midwest and anywhere else you want!

This is a long answer so in the interest of space and time (Albert) - the music industry is undergoing a revolution due to not only the internet but also due tot he accessibility of recording venues – making it possible for more and more talent to be recognized. This will inflate the market and depress sales for the few remaining big record companies (though they will find ways to make a profit anyway) – but will have an overall enormous beneficial result in terms of access to music and the ability of people to communicate through music! It’s all good!!

My artists are free to pursue any avenue they wish. My business provides for them the initial catalysis necessary to get recognized. I derived a downstream payment based on their success, so I would counsel them to find the most lucrative pathway to stardom – either with a major label or not. My reading of most major label contracts for new talent is highly unfavorable for the artist and my contracts are much more fair, in my opinion. Also, I like to allow the artist o retain a fair amount of autonomy while working as a team to produce the best product possible – this is not the case with major label contracts until you are a mega star! All said, I would sign only if the terms were fair and honest – is that even possible with the majors?

I was raised in Hollywood CA. I went to Hollywood High School and then to UCLA before moving north to Berkeley for 3 years in the 80s. The point is that as far as I knew in my mid-20s, places like Iowa only existed in books and movies. Then I moved to Iowa and discovered the beauty of the mid-west. I know I am not the first person to figure this out, but the mid-west can be an awesome place with endless fields, rolling hills and pastures, and NO SMOG OR CRIME (ok. some smog and crime, but nothing compared to LA). All said, the years in Iowa have been great for my kids and me.

I have been in many bands over the years and continue to pursue both live playing and writing/recording. I’m no Steve Morse or Frank Gambale, but I can play and I am always deepening my skills.

Influences include everything from Bach to Lloyd Banks. Some are Larry Carlton, Joyce Cooling, Tommy Tedesco, Rich Beachler (my teacher), 50 cent, Lloyd Banks, Alecia Keyes, Tower of Power, Steely Dan, Frank Gambale, Steve Morse, John Mayer, Michael Franks, Thelonius Monk, and the list goes on…

Northern California, Colorado Western Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, Japan, New Zealand and, of course, Iceland!

Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Reason, Live, Fruity Loops, Macintosh, Alienware, JBL, Alesis, Avalon, Focusrite, Neumann, AKG, Shure, Roland, Waldorf, Mackie, Carvin, Fender, Peavey, Mesa Boogie, Music Man, MosValve, and others…

I play a custom telecaster (’61 neck, Warmoth body) and have another in the oven (totally trick) plus some other guitars.

Man, I love music and I love the electricity between a player and the listener. I am an entrepreneur and inventor who is always looking for new avenues for creative output – give me a holla!!