I grew up in Chicago in the 50s. In the mid-60s, I sang with and wrote for Gorilla Danish, an R&B party and bar band.

I spent the next 35 years as an illustrator specializing in Muppets and other funny material for kids (see samples at familygorilla.com). During these years I consumed music from all genres and times and places--but I made none. Until the old band reunited for a CD session in 2002--the experience jump-started the music engine that had been gathering dust in the garage of my mind.

I started writing songs again--this time with benefit of a deeper and broader knowledge of musical styles. I got a guitar, and I learned how to make it talk. Actually, that's Bruce Springsteen; I learned how to make mine sound more like a cat about to spit up a hair ball.

I gig here in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and play harmonica behind some really fine local musicians. And I record my songs like a man with no pressing deadlines: I sing all the harmonies, play all the instruments. Take all the blame.

The songs range from blues and gospel to honky tonk and big city R&B. From '30s jazz to '40s standards to '50s doo wop to '60s rock. I seem to love everything. And when I fall in love with a genre, I just have to write in that style. Some of the songs are funny; some are satirical; some parodic; some dead serious. All are loving homage to the popular and folk music of the Tin Pan Alley/ Brill Building era.