Born on the northwest portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan, Brian’s musical journey started in his pre-teens. Winding his way through junior high, high school, some secondary schooling while working in a factory, a 10 year stint in the US Navy and a 35 year civilian career as a gas turbine engineer, the common thread has been music. Whether in bands or as a solo act, Brian has never left the music….and the music has never left him.

I came here in 2006 and have hopped around a little over the years. I’m now on the north side, not far from JIA.

Pre-teens…..just after my voice changed.

I started out with vocals, had a fleeting (and abysmal) try at keys, and then added guitar to both back myself up and make myself more useful in a group situation. The guitar seemed to work.

Yes. I perform regularly with the Black Sheep Blues band, based out of Brunswick, GA, and I play in a duo sometimes with Mr. Jerry Lee (owner of Jerry Lee’s Music – a store in St Mary’s GA).

I’ve thought about this a lot, and I really can’t pin it down to a specific musician or even a group. For me, it’s more about tone and expression and serving the song, and all musicians fill those bins in their own way at different times in their careers. I will say that music in the late 60’s to mid 70’s – the time of my musical awakening – speaks to me the deepest. Players like Toy Caldwell, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Albert Lee, Justin Hayward, Martin Barre, Ritchie Blackmore, BB King and Tony Iommi all spent a lot of time on my turntable and in the 8-track player, but I liked all the Tommy Tedesco I was fed from TV show themes and commercials, too.

Attending The Interlochen Center For The Arts All-Star program was definitely a treat for me. Surrounded by other artists, all focused on honing their skills was a study in working at something that I had heretofore considered as only fun. It also set a bar for excellence that I was aware of throughout my journey as a musician. Getting to sing on stage with Brian Howe (Bad Company) was cool, and playing a few tunes on Beale Street in Memphis was fun.

I like Smokestack a lot….and Clint McFarland will get me out sometimes. I’m really not a club person, so I don’t go out a lot.

Anything outside….Like the stage at the Flamingo RV Park.

We’re pretty well booked, but most of the shows are up in GA. You can check us out at Black Sheep Blues Band on FB. Go to the “EVENTS” page to see our schedule.

TALK – I haven’t met a single musician on the First Coast that wouldn’t talk to me. SUPPORT EACH OTHER – whether it’s filling a slot at a benefit or loaning a piece of equipment that has broken or been stolen or just adding a like or positive comment when a show is announced, support is important……and ALWAYS appreciated. PARTICIPATE – find an open mic…..find a band….. find a street corner and busk. Getting out there and into the mix will get conversations flowing.

If you had a question you would like to ask another musician what would it be?

I don’t think I have any “umbrella” questions. I’d have to know the musician in question to know what I would ask.

Yes. That I am grateful. I am grateful that I’ve had the companionship of music for 50 years. I’m grateful that it’s brought so many diverse people and players into my life. I’m grateful that I’m able to make some folks smile and forget their day-to-day for a few minutes. I’m grateful that I have had the wherewithal to have some really good equipment and consistent transportation to/from gigs. I’m grateful to those who have taken time to mentor me. Jerry Garcia said “Magic is what we do….music is how we do it.”. I’m no Merlin, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I’m grateful that there is an accepting audience out there that allows me to show them off from time to time.