Having been born mere moments before the Beatles 1966 Busch Stadium concert, Liverpool’s finest have always been an overwhelming presence in my life. But my musical roots are traced directly to my parents.

     As lead alto for the Festus International Opera Company, my mother was a vocal prodigy. Known throughout most of the county for her operatic interpretations of such classics as “The Chicken Dance” and “The Beer Barrel Polka,” her storied career was highlighted by a 1963 appearance at Carnegie (V.F.W.) Hall.

     My father spent 30 years as drummer for the Mortie Weinbaum trio, after studying under the legendary percussionist, Billy “No Arm” Chortwhiler. Their 1959 hit, “Why Are There 9 Planets, When I’ve Only Got 1 Heart,” hit double-tin and remains a favorite on Canadian NPR.

     My own musical ability showed up early. By the age of two, I composed my first song, “Joy to the Word,” which my parents sold to 3 Dog Night for two aspirin, a water bong, and a Jimi Hendrix bobble head doll. This quickly led to a short-lived writing career with the Knack. After “My Cherona,” though, a dispute with my manager (and 1st grade teacher), Mrs. Kernupsky, quickly ended that relationship and the writing stage of my music career.

     I don’t really remember my teenage years, as at age twelve I found some heroine in my father’s underwear drawer. Despite 6 trips to rehab, a faith healer and several herbal remedies brewed by the Chinese man who lived in our basement, it wasn’t until my early 20’s that I was able to kick hard drugs and subsist on a simple alcohol addiction.

     In 1993, I met famed Head East bassist Mark Boatman, who through use of Indian folklore, taught me to play the bass. This changed my whole life. With this newly-discovered talent, Mark and I played with a variety of artists throughout the late 90’s including Cher, Madonna, Garth Brooks and our personal favorite, the Donny & Marie reunion tour. It was on this tour that Mark introduced me to his “special” friend Paul Puricelli, formerly the lead vocalist for Swedish super-group, Sprjnedivic. Closing down a dock-side bar in Hannibal, MO one night, we discovered our mutual love of the Beatles and decided to give it a go as a Fab Four Cover band.

     We hired Mark’s daughter, Moonpie, as our drummer. But shortly after she and Paul got into a slap fight over stage placement, she left and joined the Peace Corps. Mark was familiar with former Spandau Ballet roadie, Branko “Soft Hands” Marusic, who later was drummer for the Barney Studio Orchestra, and convinced him to audition. It was a smashing success, and today, we are Flaming Pie.