Music was in our family. My grandfather played the fiddle and my father played the accordion. Our house was a "Rambling House" where visiting neighbours would call each Friday night to play music, sing songs, dance and tell stories. My father taught me my first tune on the accordion when I was 6 yrs old.

For many years as well as my day job, I played my music all around the North West of Ireland. I played with bands like The Mellowtones, Ivy Leaf and Pearl Express. In 1990 after a lot of encouragement from supporters, I became a One-Man-Band called "Solton Sound". This took me on a totally different journey. The following year I recorded my first tape "Rose of My Heart" which got airplay on local radio. This opened up new areas for me. I was very lucky. I got bookings from Northern Ireland as well as the North West. In the years that followed I recorded another 3 tapes There was a lot of travelling and not getting home most mornings until 6 or 7 o'clock. Then a quick change of clothes and off to the day job. However I enjoyed every minute of it and I hope I brought a little joy to those I came in contact with.

In 1997 it all started to go wrong when I started to have difficulty breathing. As a result of smoking and playing in smokey pubs, clubs, halls and community centres. I Had my first Respiratory Arrest on 10th October 1999. At that time I was diagnosed with having a Chronic Lung Disease known as C.O.P.D. An umbrella name for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease