Why did you first start writing Musician's Horoscopes?

I started putting them out there in late 2005. There really was nothing
like it and we, as musicians and performers are a whole segment of the
population that's virtually ignored. We need to do more for, and take
care of ourselves.

What instruments do you play? Do you also arrange and/or produce? Do you
write songs?

Drums - bass - keyboards. People call it arranging and producing - I
call it someone else trusting my creativity - I get a chance to let out
another aspect of myself. I've always written songs - many have made it
to the airwaves and the rest are in a box under my bed.

What sort of successes have you had so far? How do you measure success?

It's different at different times of life depending on the circumstances. I've enjoyed many successes - all over the scale, but I like to think that the story is still being written.

What drives you to write?

I've been told that my first words were "Why Ma? But why?"... I'm
still that way questioning why things are they way they are and there's
always a song in there somewhere.

If you were to be squeezed for juice, what kind/color would you be?

Does Red Bull count as juice?

What's your favourite film/TV show/channel and why?

I don't really watch TV. I'm a Detroit Pistons season tickets holder
and if I miss one of those games I'll record it to watch later, but I
have a hard time sitting still long enough to watch all the way to the end
of anything.

What do you want to see change in the music industry as a whole?

Well we're at a point where we're very creative and the tools are now
widely available to everyone to make many different types and sounds of
music. So we've made advances there but there are still a lot of things
that we as artists need to know to compete and survive in the business end
of the industry - you really have to develop these skills on your own.
There aren't a lot of resources - it would be nice to have a 411
musician's line where you could get answers to all those questions.

Name your favourite country to visit and why?

That's a tough one - I've been around the world a few times now and
every time I find something I really dig about one country and think it's
the best, I go somewhere else and find something new there. It's what
you make of where you are and what you're experiencing. I think an
easier question and shorter answer would be have I been anywhere that I
really didn't like and I'd have to say no - I love to travel but I do
love to come back home to the USA.

What effects has the globalization/digitalization of music had on you and
your career? Has it helped or hurt?

At one time you'd be dependent on where you toured and who you toured
with. Your sound went as far as your record company pushed you... now all
you've got to do is hook in to the internet and you're anywhere they can
hear you. Just the other day I was contacted by a producer in Israel,
who'd heard my music on my website - that sort of thing might not have
happened before - certainly it's easier now - so, yes it helps.

If you could change just one thing about yourself, anything at all, what
would it be?

I'll have to think some more on that...

What other passions do you have besides music?

Sports... youth mentoring, I coach kid's ball when I'm home... Overall I
think that I'm passionate about life and the experiences that are
available to be had.

Who are your favourite artists and why?

I would hate to say some and miss the others - I've been influenced by
many great talents - the list is long... too long to go over here. I admire
all artists that respect their own gift.

What do you feel makes you stand out? Don't be shy!

(laugh) I think different people would have different opinions on that?

Describe your first gig?

You're putting me on the spot here but it was in the gymnasium of my
middle school. The music teacher had to come up with some entertainment
for an hour long event and I convinced her that we - me and my group - could do it. We only knew 3 songs but we played for the hour and we got paid.

What was your favourite gig and why?

There's been a few - The Super Dome in New Orleans was cool. Wembley,
Carnegie Hall and the Apollo were even cooler. I've been blessed to work
with many great artists and great artists equal great shows and great
tours in great venues.

Who are your favourite authors and books and why? What was the last
thing you read?

My taste in books is as varied as the music I listen to so there are no
absolute favorites. Over the past year I've gone thru The 48 Laws of
Power, Cormac McCarthy's "The Road", and "The Secret". I'm in
Toronto right now to attend a book release and signing event for a music
project that I'm involved in for a series of books by some of "The
Secret" authors. But, truthfully, the last thing I read was a movie
treatment for a kid's animated show.

What do you think of fame and celebrity? Are they overrated?

They're not overrated - I think people work very very hard to get where
they are - to the level of success they've achieved. It can work
against you if you don't respect and understand it... but when you do
respect it and remember to give a little bit back, it's a wonderful thing.

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