I’ve been engaged with music since 6 y.o., but only started to seriously write songs, lyrics in 2005. That was prior to any real “online”, “song-groups” as are known today. I helped build a few of the first ones, became a “TA” at the Berklee Online Music courses at www.coursera .org/ - mostly because I assisted in facilitating their curriculum change, (I had built many online Learning Systems since circa '95 within Corp. America - Telco’s, Pharma’s, others). The early Berklee iteration had many issues, lots of “Trolls” and to much peer grading, and weighting which attracted the Trolls : ) lol! I made sure I did every course they had (the then new Certificate program), and then, well - that was that, and have not been back (it’s been a good while).

For many years now I have periods where I rotate between instruments (if even combined) - drum kit, guitar, bass, cello, harmonica, dulcimer - others. Years ago I was asked what was my primary instrument and I didn’t have one - which they objected to that possibility. However, after a few decades, presently, I might favor the guitar, but not by much!

In my early years, when there was only one “heavy metal” lol! (now 10+ distinct labels) I had a chance in the music world of that time, band, radio, etc. However, once “right there” within it - I was really turned off by it, and in to many ways to say, or should say - it was not for “me” - so didn’t.

I never had any regrets. A close friend of mine a pro level session working drummer, his Dad was one of the first KISS members. He lived the last half of his life in a one bedroom apt, “robbing” WiFi from the neighbors and slowly selling his guitars. But, at lease he was still alive - unlike many. (Frankly, even Radio of that “era” was “icky” - even if was an Engineer inclined person, vs doing On-air).

So, I may get a bit technical and apologize for that, but it’s folks like how I am now - that really helped me then with *music - regardless of what you may think of my ability or work-product : ) hahh! Many associates today of my era said they were not that fortunate. When they played out - it was highly negatively critical and competitive. Most of the audience were musicians and heckling. These old Jazz Musicians just said, “shut up and play, play the instrument, forget about the music…, just play the instrument itself, the rest will follow and make more sense that way”, or similar words, (14yo working in a bar washing dishes 'till the early “am” hours - “Manny” himself, sold me my first guitar in NYC).

So, I leave it there, that’s about it in short, ?, for about me!