I always loved music, since as far back as I can remember. I'm from an italian background and I recall my grandad playing accordian and singing us italian songs. My father is an ace musician himself, having served in the Army as a bandsman and playing in many Big Bands while honing his skills on sax and other woodwind instruments as well as composing and arranging for others. After many years of service in the Army (including having served in the Koren War), he then began a second career as a music teacher of grade school and high school instrumental concert and marching bands.

He gave an additional 30 years of his life to sharing his love of music to countless others, many of whom only realized the significance of that musical gift years later in their own lives and they often stop by to thank him and wish him well. In my family, we affectionately refer to him as "The Leader of the Band", and as Dan Fogelburg so warmly puts it in that song, "he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay".

So there's my own inspiration, and here I am myself many years later, echoing his footsteps
and sharing the same wonder and love of creating and performing music.