I first learned to "play" the guitar when I was 11 years old. My neighbor, Floyd Sweeney, of Dayton, Ohio, who had a country/western band (Miami Valley Ramblers) took me under his wing and had all the patience in the world, carrying me around to all his venues and spending a lot of time teaching me to play my old Sears and Roebuck, Gene Autry guitar that I bought from my older brother for $3.00. I lost contact with Floyd when I joined the Navy, but have had a lifetime of enjoyment from what he taught me. I graduated from the Gene Autry guitar and eventually bought a Martin D-28 in 1971, which I still play today and use in some of my videos. Most of my life has been just playing and singing by myself, never really jamming with others. I completely got away from music for several years until about two years ago, I started playing with a group of folks in Baldwin, Florida, jamming with them at "The Barn" on Monday nights. I was befriended by Ronnie Davis (see "grassrootsgospel" on YouTube.com)at Baldwin, and have been palying and singing like I never have before. We go to several pickin's in and around Jacksonville, Florida, and post a lot of stuff on YouTube. I hope some of you find a little enjoyment in what we do ...mostly Bluegrass Gospel.