I was born and raised on Long Island, NY. I actually live just a few minutes from where Billy Joel was raised - but the comparison ends there for sure. I have even seen him perform live around here a few times too. As a child and teenager, I used to listen to a radio while I went to sleep. I listened to lots of great music during the late 60's and 70's. These years certainly have influenced my stye of music a great deal. Too many groups to mention but certainly on the list would be Bread, America, Neil Young, CSN, CSNY, Elton John, Pink Floyd, and so on. I play the guitar, the harmonica, and recently started playing keyboards. I favor Martin guitar's, hey, it's all in the name, and play the following instruments: - Martin DCPA1 Madagascar- Martin GPCPA1+- Martin Custom D- Gretch G5122 Electric. I never know what genre my music really fits into to be quite honest. I guess I would have to say Contemporary Folk and/or Singer/Songwriter. I first picked up the guitar in my late teens. I stopped playing for many years, then picked it up again in 2008. I have not stopped playing daily since! It all started with a tour of the Martin Guitar factory in Nazareth, PA. We purchased a wall hanger for my wife's old guitar and I started playing it more and more. Then I bought my first Martin and WOW, I was hooked. What a great sound! Although I do play an occasional cover song, I really enjoy writing my own music. I don't know what it is, I just find creating and writing my own music much more enjoyable than learning how to play someone else's music - and much easier too!My goals are simple:- Enjoy playing my music. - Enjoy writing music.- And hope that every once in a while, someone enjoys my music too!Thank you for stopping by my site. And if you read this far, thank you SOOO much for your time! :-)Best Regards, Cd Martin