"If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing."
J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
I began writing songs in 1965 when I was 16 and still in high school. Smiles And Frowns, Life's Ups Its Downs was my first collection of songs published in 1970. I formed Spiritwood Music Inc, a Minnesota Corporation, to publish and promote my music in 1982. For the most part, I've been a closeted singer-songwriter. Only close friends and family have been privy to my creative talents. If I had to appraise myself, I'd say I’m a pretty good songwriter and poet, but a mediocre musician and performer. My guitar skills are limited to chords and don't know how to read music. The few times I have performed in public, let’s say thank goodness there were no iPhones to record me.
Over the years, I’ve had four prolific bursts of creativity:
- 1967 to 1971 while in college in Boston MA
- 1978 to 1982 while living in Mankato MN
- 1982 to 1987 while living in Pullman WA
- 1987 to 1993 following my return to Minnesota and the Twin Cities