In 1998, I began taking blues lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. I learned a great deal about the blues form, improvisation, and relaxing on stage.

I began performing with Becki Hendricks and the Blue Hounds (a band comprised of other students and an instructor). We had a great time, and I was given the opportunity to perform "for real" in some great Chicago venues.

This was an invaluable networking experience for me. I was given jobs with wedding bands, blues bands, and jazz ensembles following this. It was extremely rewarding.

In July of 1999, I met blues legend Barkin' Bill Smith during a Tuesday Night jam at Buddy Guy's Legends.

Barkin' Bill brought me immediately into his band, Cold Sweat. The very next week, I joined him and the guys playing shows at Buddy Guy's and House of Blues.

This was an amazing opportunity for me.

I continued to play with Barkin' Bill until his health declined and he was forced to retire from the stage. Bill died less than a year after I met him.

During the time I was a part of Cold Sweat, we played at many other fabulous venues. Among these were:

Famous Dave's
Smoke Daddy
Blue Chicago
Blues on Halsted
Slippery Noodle Inn (Indianapolis)
Blues, Etc.
Martha's Midway Tavern (South Bend)
House of Blues
House of Blues Hotel
Buddy Guy's Legends