I was born on a farm in Arkansas near the Missouri state line and between Eureka Springs and Berryville. I was the youngest of 6 boys. As a youngster, my family moved to California, during which time I earned spending money working at a dairy and at Knott's™ Berry Farm (when they still raised berries). I went back to Arkansas to finish high school in Heber Springs, just north and east of Little Rock. After graduation, I intended to go to Kansas to work in the wheat harvest; my goal was to earn enough money to get back to California. However, I had to get my horse to my dad's farm near Eureka Springs, Arkansas (about 200 miles). Not having enough money to ship him, I got on his back and headed off, but had no idea what I was in for. Four days later, exhausted, filthy, and extremely saddle sore, I made it.
     After finally making it to California, I caught the music bug. Most of the folks I knew played acoustic guitar, so I decided to try something different and learn steel. My first teacher was Ralph Tate; over the years, I have taken lessons from probably 50 different teachers. The one who taught me to be a musician rather than just a player was Al Petty. He taught me musical theory and let me buddy around with him for about 7 years. Al taught me that anyone can become what they want if they're willing to work for it. I went to him as a scared kid, wanting to learn to play steel guitar, and he gave me the courage to strike out, become a professional player, and a businessman.
     My first paying job was in 1952 in Hawaiian Gardens, California. I worked with Curley Carver at the Quanset Hut™, later known as the Red Barrel™. Curley heard me play on a radio broadcast of the "Squeakin' Deacon" radio show; I was 22 and got second place in a talent contest to a 5-year-old blond singing "Good Ship Lollipop!" For you "California Country" folks, I have played with Wynn Stewart, Bobby Baer, Bobby Austin, Gene Davis, Billy Mize, Sammy Masters, Al Bruno, Carl Cody, Jack Tucker, and so many more. I had my own band, "The Southlanders", for a number of years.
     During the late 1950's and '60's, I played with 7 different bands on "Cal's Corral", a TV western variety show sponsored by Cal Worthington. Sammy Masters was the music coordinator. I have worked at George's Round-up™, the Pioneer Room™, the Imperial Inn™, the Palomino Club™, the Foothill Club™, and dozens of beer joints in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties.
     I am currently working with two different bands, one led by Don Ridgeway and the other by Larry Bales. Since we're a bunch of "elderly brothers", we mainly do the animal circuit (moose, elk, lions, giraffes). We work most weekends, keep busy, and play everything from classic country and Top 40 country to pop standards. We have a bunch of fans who follow us from place to place, so contact me today!

Visit me in Riverside, California, for professional music instruction, specializing in pedal and non-pedal steel guitars, and stringed music instrument repair.