Founder/Leader/Guitar/Lead Vocals
19 Years of Musical Experience
Born: January 7, 19??
Hometown: Ipava, IL
Resides: Lew-easton, IL

Day Job: Educator & Coach

Favorite Musicians/Influences: Eagles, Beatles, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Dan Fogelberg, America, Lonestar, ect.

How it all started: I guess it all began by sitting in with various bands during the late 80‘s such as Dave Scott, The Old Mill Boys, etc. When retired major league pitcher Mark Clark was first called up with the Cardinals, The Brick Tavern in Bath IL had a party for him. To make a long story short, for whatever reason their entertainment had to cancel. Joyce Korth (Brick owner) had heard me before and asked me if I would help her out. At first I hesitated but then decided why not? so, off to Peoria I went to rent some equipment and have for the most part been playing ever since.

I started as a one man band, specializing mostly in 50‘s-70’s rock music. From there, I added a bass player. When larger venues became interested, it was time to add a “real” drummer. Intrigued by the versatility a female voice could add, I coaxed Michelle Fawcett out of semi-retirement. We weren’t sure what to name the band. “Ship, Captain, Crew” was considered along with “Cruise Control”. We finally settled on “AMERICAN PIE” since we were one of the few bands stupid enough to take on a song that long.

Music, even though I can’t read a note of it, has always been one of my biggest interests and probably always will be. I guess deep down I always wanted to be in a band. Since no one would have me, I basically said to hell with it, I’ll start my own! And as long as people still want to hear us, we’ll keep playing.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the people, musicians, that have helped us out along the way and or still are. Please forgive me if I have left someone out. Anyway here goes, at least to the best of my recollection.

All our faithful followers over the years, too numerous to mention, but a special thanks to our friends and fans from the Havana and Lewistown area, Todd Schaeffer (even though he doesn’t remember that “Partridge Family“ song and thankfully neither do I), The “Californian’s” from Arcola ( we miss you guys even though our livers probably don’t), Dave Scott, Michelle Fawcett, Bob Logan, Dick Marcott, Dave Martin, Dave Deckard, Zach Gray, Zane Gray, Mark Smith, Cork Smith, Sonny Smith, Dan Smith (that’s a lot of Freakin’ Smith’s), Todd Baldwin, Brock Meyer, Paula Favor, Guy Morse, Tim Griffin, Nikki Hand, and the newest version of “AMERICAN PIE”: Katie Badger, Kelley Bohm, and Thom Lawson.