How did you get started with music?
The Beatles began my lifelong love and appreciation of music, at the age of 9. I consider myself extremely lucky to have grown up in an era with some of the most iconic bands in history. Being able to see The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stone, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Ten Years After, Deep Purple .. live! …was simply amazing. Not too mention the ticket prices were only $7.50!
For the past 50+ years, music has been one of the most important aspects of my life. I played flute and clarinet, in the high school band as well as attending Berklee and the University of Lowell, where I taught electronic music labs in my freshman year. At Lowell, they had an ARP 2500, (2) 2600s and one of the first Synclavier commercially produced. Working in several local music stores as well as repairing all sorts of gear also added to my skills. I continue to utilize my technical skills whether its custom designing an on-board guitar preamp or here at Cakewalk.
In 1998 I was presented the opportunity to work at Cakewalk. Already being an avid user of Cakewalk 3.0, at the time, the fit couldn’t have been more perfect. I began in QA and worked up to development as the Release/Build Engineer. The challenges of producing the highest quality product are always there, but I couldn’t imagine doing it anywhere else or with another team of dedicated passionate professionals.
What sale or trade, of gear, would you like to take back?
I’m certain that everyone has sold or traded some piece of gear that you wish you could take back. Think about this … If you could go back in time and take back one sale or trade, what would it be??
I think about this all the time .. in my day, there wasn’t a ‘vintage’ market .. even though I may vintage, I think about the trades I made and there is one I would take back in a second. Imagine being able to buy a ‘used’ (not vintage) late 50’s Les Paul approx $1K or a 60’s Strat or Tele for $400! I remember buying a Fuzzface brand new for $30. I eventually sold it for $250 a few years ago. Blackface Bassmans, Vibroluxes for $150 .. Marshalls, Vox, Magnatone, Supro, Silvertones everywhere. I traded an SVT head ..even for a 100w Marshall Bass head. I paid $150 for the SVT. One of my friends had me modify a ‘68 Tele with 4 pickups and a custom pickguard. Here I am, routing out this ‘vintage’ instrument to add humbuckers and strat pickups. The original parts and ‘old’ pickups got thrown in a drawer. ..the horror!
.. Okay, my one trade I would undo in a second is a 70’s 50w gold letter Marshall plexi with 4×12 cab!
Favorite 5 Movie(s): The Godfather, The Godfather Part II. The Dark Knight, Jaws, My Cousin Vinny,
Years @ Cakewalk: 16+ years
Instrument: Guitar/Keyboard
Preferred Style of Music: Blues, Progressive, Rock, Electronic
Superpower (if you could have one): I’d like the ability to stop time!
Favorite Bands and Artists: BEATLES, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, ELP, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson, Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa, Greg Koch, Andy McKee, Alex DeGrassi, Hans Zimmer, Trent Reznor, Tomita, Roger Powell .. way too many to list!