Hall of Honor Inductee

Born in Seattle, and raised in Denver CO and Detroit, after mastering folk style banjo in his early teens, he began learning Scruggs style at Earl Gormaine's Pick and Strum Shop in Royal Oak, Michigan. Soon he was asked to teach at Herb David’s Guitar Studio in Ann Arbor. Then in 1965 Earl Scruggs asked him to help produce the all-time best selling instruction book and record, Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo. After fulfilling his government service in 1967-68 as a computer technician and VISTA volunteer in WV, he moved west and has become known as one of Colorado's favorite banjo players. When bluegrass greats including Bill Monroe, Hylo Brown, Josh Graves and Kenny Baker asked who could back them during local appearances, one name came to mind. His ability to naturally fill in on banjo and guitar/vocals led to job offers to join both Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys and Brown’s Timber Liners. He has helped launch the careers of a number of aspiring bands, including Colorado's own, Hot Rize. And just recently his greatest thrill was being invited to perform with Earl Scruggs and Friends at the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival.