Long story short
For me music became a big part of life from an early age. We used to watch a bit of TV as a family, and when I was around the age of five or six, I started to putting dads big old leather headphones on, and sit down behind the couch. I’d listen to guitarists like Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler, over and over, for hours on end, oblivious to what was on the TV. My interest was obvious to mum and dad, and so they sought out the best they could find to teach me guitar. I’m thankful to have had seven years of private lessons with Feilding legend Graham Lovejoy, he gave me a foundation of many styles, from Classical, Delta Blues to Heavy Metal.
I gained a lot of appreciation for my skill, and enjoyed sharing my passion amongst my school mates from primary school through to high school. I was in a local band “Superhuman”, we performed at bars and even welcomed home Evermore with a concert in the town square broadcast live on TV. Some years later I moved from Feilding to Christchurch, to reunite with former band member and friend Tim Hunt, together we formed a new band “Stonehurst”. We ticked a lot off the bucket list … Recording two full length albums and a handful of singles, performing throughout NZ on countless tours, and opening for international visiting bands and NZ premier rock acts. Including: The Feelers, Devilskin, Halestorm, Black Label Society, Seether. All the while I had a burning passion for more and more music.
I moved with my wife to be and got married in Dunedin. Here I pursue my life long love of music, studying with local maestro Bernard Madill, and at the University of Otago with Prof Anthony Ritchie and Peter Adams, as well as attending masterclass’s where ever possible, one with academy award winning guitarist David Russell was particularly impacting. 2023 saw me complete a nationwide concert series, and achieving radio airtime. The beauty found in classical music sustains and enriches my life more than anything else. Despite leading a busy lifestyle with my wife and son, everyday I look forward to time on my guitar, time fades away and often I’m shocked at how late it has become, sometimes it’s 1-2am in the morning. I have been given a gift, and it is my duty to polish it, to make it shine, so that other people may enjoy it and benefit from it in the same ways I do.