I started playing guitar in 1973.  My early influences were Jeff Beck, Santana, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winters, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Jimi Hendrix. In my formative "Jazz" years it was George Benson, Earl Klugh, Al DiMolia, & Pat Metheny.  Then came the Speed Metal years when I discovered Tony McAlphine, Vinnie Moore, Blues Sarenceno, and pretty much anyone on Shrapnel Records.  By the late 80s and early 90s I was more into The Edge & U2, The Cure, Tears For Fears to name a few.

  Tom Righi was a major influence as my only teacher for a number of years.  When learning "cover" tunes he always taught the signature riffs but never the entire song note for note impressing upon me to improvise through a solo in order to have influences but yet making my own voice on guitar.  This was the most influential lesson I ever learned as a developing and "still" developing guitar player.

  The creation of the group Pray For Reign has been a life project in the making.  When I first decided to do only original christian music and begin a life of service to God.  I had to part ways with a lot of people who had been friends of mine for some time.  The decision to follow God's calling pretty much cost me my band (at the time) and the relationships that were made in those years with the band.  People literally rolled there eyes when I said I wanted to do christian rock.  Well I now found myself starting over from scratch in musical circles and it took me almost two years to get Jack Shelton as a bass player.  I kept begging him to join with me and make the band possible.  He caved into my constant pleads and "finally" joined the band and has not only been the best bassist one could hope for but also has become a great friend in the process and a mentor in my walk with Jesus Christ.

  My life long friend Charlie Denmark who was my bass player for about a million years now stepped up to the plate as rhythm & lead guitar player.  Charlie has been with me since I can remember and we have been in so many bands together its not funny.  Charlie has been there through thick and thin and even in poor health he stays by my side.  If a person goes through his/her entire life and only has one friend like this then that person has truly been blessed.

  Jeff Hand is the ground.  What I mean to say is when things get all crazy Jeff is the voice of reason and brings our feet back to earth.  Two words can describe his playing.  We call him the "The Machine" or the "Human Metronome" Jeff never misses a beat and his timing is phonominal.  I sometimes hate his ability because it amplifies my own inability to count.  Jeff is by far the best drummer I have ever had the pleasure of having.

  The first time I ever heard Meredith Mason sing I was amazed by her voice. When I finally got around to asking her to sing on the CD the band was really taking on its own sound.  Meredith was so easy to work into the line up it was like having an old friend over for a visit.  Her ability to pick out pitch and make corrections on the fly and to be able to emulate style even down to vibrato, which is no easy task, never ceases to amaze me.  Meredith came out several evenings to sing with just a last minute phone call, and never having heard some of the songs, came though as the true professional she is.

  These next two people although not actual members of the band are nonetheless major components to our existence.  Mike Sirmans aka "The Mad Scientist" (extra guitar in Pray For Reign) and Gary Kitchens (adlib vocals on Be Glorified) of the band R.O.C. Band (Rock Of Christ).  If it were not for these two guys Pray For Reign's first CD would still be a "someday" dream.  Mike is an awesome engineer, as well as guitarist par excellence, and he literally spent hundreds of man hours at the controls of the studio.  In addition we were blessed to have Gary's excellent ears and input for the mastering of the self titled CD.  Mere words can not express our gratitude for these two people whom God has placed in our path to help in this musical journey.