For some reason, at 46 years old, I decided to release my debut album. The title of this album is “It’s Not About Me” - because it’s not. My story, like most people’s, is actually about the others in my life. They have made me who I am. So they are who the album is really about. This album is only possible because of the collaboration and encouragement of many talented people. Kenny McMahon got me back on stage after way too long. Andrea Bunch, Steve Dawson, Scott Besaw and the whole community at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago showed me it was possible, and never judged me along the way. Colleen Webb challenged me to be a songwriter and then collaborated with me to make the music – I couldn’t have done it without her. Tom Roper spent countless hours listening to each song and helping me find the right sound. Mark Il Santo gave me the confidence to stand out front. And Dave Siegel provided the beat to drive the process along. Their involvement has allowed the songs to be heard as they were intended – and not just as I was capable of playing them. I also want to say a special word of thanks to John Abbey of Kingsize Soundlabs for recording and mixing the album – he found the sound that we were all looking for. They all made significant contributions to how these songs evolved and I will be eternally grateful for what we created TOGETHER. So as you see – It’s Not About Me. I'd love to be able to answer the question people ask about my musical style or genre. I guess the best I can say is that it is as eclectic as my taste in music. Some of it is very singer/songwriter-ish, some I would say sounds very much like 80's rock and roll (what we used to call"new wave"), and I hope that some of it has a poignant sense of humor to it - there's even a SKA song that we had a ton of fun recording. I guess you could say that it is"47 year old, fat, bald guy rock & roll" although I'm not sure that is an official genre. For me, the power of music has always been in its ability to bring you to a place in your memory. Music cements moments in our lives in a way nothing else can. The artists that I have turned to over and over again have been people who could create a meaningful story and then invited me to share in the experience. Some of those songs are now a big part of my life. And I owe those artists a great debt. With that in mind, Tom and I have recorded one of those great songs (with a nod to another) for the album. Not because we felt that our version can even touch the greatness of the original – but as a tribute and a thank you to the songwriters who touched us so deeply. Finally, I am very proud to announce that all of the proceeds from the single"Ride Home" will be donated to Jack Daniel's Operation Ride Home, which is an Armed Services YMCA program that provides travel funds for our armed services men and women to get home for the holidays. I have been honored to work closely with this organization for the past three years, and they are the inspiration for the song. It is my hope that people will hear the song and be inspired to do even more to get involved with the fine work done by this great program. My dream has always been to record my music, and hopefully have that effect on someone else. To share my songs with you and hopefully make a connection through music… So I guess, in a way it IS about me.