Biography

Born in Orange, NSW, my dad was Central Western Cycling Champion and my mum an amateur entertainer, both worked hard raising money for local sporting bodies. This was most likely my introduction to music as most of the shows were prepared and rehearsed in our lounge-room, which was quite large and of course contained a piano, as did most homes during that era. The content of music was wide, ranging from light Opera to the post-war hits of the time. But through all this saturation of music, my leaning was towards Country, although at the time it was termed "Hillbilly" music.

In late 1959, the family moved to Sydney, where soon after I commenced work in my dad's roofing business.

In September, 1964, I married my longtime sweetheart, Karen. Saving for a house of our own kept us mostly at home. During this period my interest in the guitar was revived and I would croon love songs to my darling as we sat around in our little flat in the evenings.

In 1967, I joined a band called "The Shindigs" as rhythm guitarist and lead vocals. For three years the band played two or three gigs a week until it finally folded and I decided to try putting a band together myself. In as little as a month a new band was happening: the band was named "Pendulum".

In 1960, I did a solo gig on a show put together by the Nepean C.M. Association. Another artist on the same show was Ian B. MacLeod. Ian's spot on the show knocked me out and he became my favourite Aussie Country artist.

Ian had used "Pendulum" on some of his own country shows, but by late 1983 bookings for the band were very patchy. In order to lift the potential and performance of the band, two front line female vocal dancers were added to the line-up, making a seven-piece outfit with four-part harmony.

Out of frustration in not being able to find regular work for the group, I decided to call Ian, hoping he would be able to use the group on some of his shows. Ian attended rehearsals, liked our sound and "The Rockabilly Express" emerged.

With the encouragement of Ian and my wife Karen, I was finally able to make my dream of one day having an album of my own, a reality.