​I grew up in a small community on Cape Breton Island called River Bourgeois.   I was raised by my very loving parents Michael and Joan along with my brothers and sisters Timmy, Bernadette, Richard and Pamela.  Music was always in my house.  If PinkFloyd wasn't spinning on the record player, then it was my mother humming in the kitchen or my father on the guitar.  My brother used to sing himself to sleep, actually I think he used to sing us all to sleep.  It was just a matter of time before I would pick up the guitar.  At the age of 14, I sang in my first variety concert with my best friend Susan.  To say the least, it was a disaster.  We giggled through the entire Ann Murray song "could I have this dance".  A year later, with much encouragement,  I was back on stage.  Since then, I have played many local shows, songwriter's circles, variety shows, benefits, jam sessions, kitchen rackets, and weddings.  But it wasn't until I was asked to play at a funeral that I stepped back a bit.