I remember it well. It was the early eighties and my band "Overdrive" was to appear in the very first issue of this new Alameda newspaper, "The Island Journal". Being an Alameda native, I new most of the local musicians. Well, at least I thought so. Opening up the paper, I found the story on "Overdrive", only to really lay notice to another story about this band called "The Alameda All Stars". My initial thought was, "Alameda All Stars, who the hell are these guys?" Of course when you're 15, you feel like you're invincible and no one is gonna stand in your way, especially someone called the "All Stars". Anyways, being that I was performing in different venues than them, it would be years before we would eventually cross paths. Over the course of the next 15 years or so, while on my own musical journey, I started hearing more and more about these "All Stars", even bumping into Mr. Gillis and others from time to time. The All Stars used to play every Sunday at the Park St. Saloon in Alameda (they used to call it Sunday night church). Then around the beginning of 1995, after having established a name for myself in the music world with Vicious Rumors, I was hanging out at "Sunday night church" when Tommy Thompson asked me up to jam. I have to say that I was shocked 'cause they had never asked me up before. I must admit though, it felt good to be asked to sit it in with the guys because, over the years, I've come to realize that it's not a competition but rather a sharing of styles and peoples' energies that really makes playing music special. Anyways, it really went off great, and a definite spark was felt by all. I began sitting in with the guys more and more often, and a good rapport had developed. I enjoyed all the bluesy aspects of what they did. That, combined with my rock/metal style, seemed to be a perfect blend. In March of '95, I parted ways with Vicious Rumors. This had been brewing within me for a while, due to my desire to be more diverse musically. I was officially asked to play some shows with the Alameda All Stars in August of 1995, initially filling in for then All Star-guitarist Mark (Jellyroll) Burgstahler. Due to Mark Burgstahler's family obligations at the time, the gig eventually led to a full time slot for me. Mark and I are great friends, and I respect him immensely as a guitarist and a human being. Mark Burgstahler, Tommy Thompson, Tom Miller & Preston Thrall were all members of Gregg Allman & Friends at the time, and our friendship eventually led to my audition with Gregg Allman. I joined Gregg Allman & Friends in Fall of 1995, and we all hit the road together with both Jellyroll and me tearing it up on guitars. The rest is history. Most recently, I produced/co-wrote and performed with Tommy Thompson on the debut cd from my new band "Luvplanet", featuring Nicole Sutton & Katie Schuch. I am still lead guitarist with the Alameda All Stars & Gregg Allman & Friends, and I love and respect them all dearly! This just proves that you never know where you'll end up, and that remaining open about life and it's twists-and-turns can pay off! The Alameda All Stars is an eccentric combination of guys that all have one thing in common: playing music and meaning it!