I got my first guitar when I was nine years old.
I’m pretty sure my parents thought it was a phase.

 

It wasn’t.

 

By twelve I was taking lessons with a great local teacher, and by fifteen I was already in a rock band with guys a few years older than me, hauling amps into basements and learning the fine art of playing way too loud. I graduated high school early and headed to Berklee College of Music at seventeen, where things got serious fast.

 

At Berklee I played in as many bands as would have me and had the chance to learn alongside some ridiculously talented players — including Pat Metheny and Steve Vai. When Steve headed west to start his career, I stepped into his spot in the band. No pressure, right?

 

After a few years touring the country with cover bands (the best boot camp a guitarist can get), the phone started ringing.

 

One call came from Peter Tork of The Monkees, who needed a lead guitarist for the Peter Tork Project in New York. That turned into several years of touring and eventually playing with Peter, Mickey Dolenz, and Davy Jones on and off through the ’80s and ’90s. They were as funny and down-to-earth as you’d hope. Davy used to joke after my solos, “Good thing we don’t pay him by the note.” I took that as a compliment.

 

Then there was the Aerosmith call.

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Their management asked if I could jump in on very short notice. I said “yes” before they finished the sentence and immediately started cramming their setlist from a cassette tape they sent me which I still have somewhere. I had five days to learn the setlist before getting on stage with them. In the end, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford rejoined the band (as they should), and my rock-star moment lasted about five minutes (technically three months) — but it makes a pretty good story.

 

There were a few other almosts, too — auditioning for and playing with, Billy Squier, Ace Frehley, Alice Cooper. The later two set up by my fellow club band friend Hugh McDonald, now bass play in Bon Jovi. Enough brushes with stardom to collect great memories and zero ego.

 

I’ll never stop chasing the next great gig — my dream job would be playing with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They combine the two things I love most: heavy metal and Christmas. Honestly, that’s basically my entire personality in one band.

 

Al, if you’re out there… Berklee classmate here. I’m ready. Guitar’s tuned. Seriously - call me!

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The ’80s were my true music glory days. I dove headfirst into the glam and heavy metal scene — Aquanet, leather, lycra, I was there for all of it. I played in bands with names that felt tailor-made for the CBGBs and L’Amour marquee: Sneaker Boys, Rated X, Highway Chile, and Allied Forces. If it was Tuesday you could probably find us holding court at the Cat Club. It was loud, scrappy, and wonderfully over-the-top — screaming leads, stacks of amps, and the kind of nights that ended with your ears ringing and your gear smelling like beer. Those were the days, and honestly, some of the most fun I’ve ever had with a guitar.

 

In the early ’90s, life took an unexpected turn and I went to law school, cut my hair, and eventually spent 30+ years as an attorney. But the guitar never went back in the case. I kept playing, gigging, and working with bands whenever I could.

 

Now I’m retired from law and back to music full-time — exactly where I belong.

 

These days I focus on what I’ve always loved most: serving the song. Big tones, melodic solos, tight rhythm work, and showing up prepared and easy to work with. No drama, no rock-star attitude — just solid playing and a good hang.

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If you need a seasoned lead guitarist who can bring classic rock firepower (and maybe a few good road stories), contact me.

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Let’s make some noise.