Pre-histroy #1 My favorite toy at about 3. I vaguely remember it. I don't think it really played, but I do remember I could dink around with it for hours - pretty amazing when you consider the attention span of your average 3 year old. So why did I not end up a fiddler?

Pre-history #2 This old wreck with 2 or 3 rusty strings and a big hole stove in the back was something I just couldn't wait to get my hands on when we'd go down to my mom's folks' place in the Ozarks. They couldn't hardly pry it out of my itty-bitty hands!

Pre-history #3 This turned up when my sister and I were going thru old photos after our mother passed away. I didn't remember it at all. Margin says "Murray Hill, N.J. 1956" which made me 4 years old. That there is as 1950s Americana as it gets, folks.

Ancient History #1 Promo photo of the Kokomo Bros, a "newgrass" band based out of West Lafayette, Indiana. The band was my first serious bass gig. L-R: Tim Moody (R.I.P. Bro!), Tom Adler, Dan Vanada, yers truly.

Ancient History #2 Proof positive of my misspent youth. No recollection of the photographer, the year, the gig, or what. Playing the '61 Fender Jazz. Might have been The Hummingbird (Indianapolis, IN) or a Chicago club with the Kokomo Bros... mid-to-late '70s.

Ancient History #3 No idea where, when, or by whom. Early '80s ? Drums suggest a blues band I did a stint with. But could be some pick-up band gig. Why am I playing a Fender Precision? I certainly never owned one. Kids, see the result of that lifestyle when you get old ??!!

Ancient History #4 My Dad (R.I.P.) shot this at the party after my first wedding at which the Kokomo Bros showed up and we played Bluegrass for the gathering. It was about 99 F. in the shade that day. Man oh man, I wish I still had that Music Man bass!!

Ancient History #5 Codrak Blues Band, circa '79-80. Odd name, maybe Celtic? Front man (vanilla Tele) was a wild Irishman fondly called Dennis "So Much Beer So Little Time" Murphy, or just "Murph" (from the noises he'd make when passed out after a gig).

Ancient History #6 One of various anonymous bands during the '80s. Maybe a country band (see banjo!) Maybe some freebie wedding gig while band was still in rehearsals. Never dressed like that for any REAL gig! I see I still owned the '61 Jazz bass - sigh.

Ancient History #7 On-again-off-again trio, Lafayette, Indiana, late 80s. We all had had high road mileage & no desire to travel. Hence our name "The Stationary Willburys". L-R: Dennis "Everything is a percussion instrument" Leas, Meself, Larry "Cool Hand" Smeyak.

Ancient History #8 Promo pic for my first solo acoustic show, circa 1989. Too much too tell about it here. Watch for the story to show up on my blog!

Ancient History #9 An experimental trio with Lafayette, IN musician Kenn (2 Ns) Clark and his guitarist pal "Slick". It was about 105 F. that day. There's a long story with this pic too. Look for it on the blog! Luv the shirt and shades!

Ancient History #10 Used to play a local spot called The Cork & Cleaver in West Lafayette, Indiana. It attracted Purdue faculty and admin types, about my age. Not smoky, nice bunch of folks hanging out. I remember it fondly.

Ancient History #11 Cork & Cleaver, W. Lafayatte, Idiana, late 80s. Good friend Larry Smeyak often sat in and played tasty lead guitar. My favorite banjo "The Mutt" was a gift from Larry. As you can see, we had some fun playin' "The Cork".

Recent History #1 Recent History = after move to St. Petersburg. When 1 daughter got a job at the old expat "City Bar", I was invited to play for a July 4 bash. To my surprise, the banjo went over great. Maybe it was the beer, but who care? Such was my humble debut in SPb.

Recent History #2 Major lounge gig at ***** Hotel Angleterre, St. Petersburg. Subbing for jazz pianist/singer Lynn Hilton, who was off playing a festival in Moscow. I regurgitated old Cork & Cleaver stuff, and it was well received. I know how to do lounge gigs!

Recent History #3 Former Borsalino lounge in the Hotel Angleterre had a baby grand. So I got to dust off some of my old conservatory piano class skills and make like Billy Joel. Like ridin' a bicycle - it all comes back.

Recent History #4 In Russia, you can't get by ignoring your birthday. People will call you up a 6 a.m. to be the first to congratulate you "s'dnyom rozshdenya". Then there has to be a party. Well, I've had a somewhat different way of celebrating... see next photo.

Recent History #5 On birthdays I'd to book the back room at some dive - er -PUB, order munchies, invite friends, colleagues, and strangers to party down while I play live acoustic tunes. They have fun, I have fun. My 55th: I inflict banjo on the now-defunct City Bar.

Recent History #6 After City Bar died, it was back to my cats. Then The Other Side came along, and while it lasted I played some nights there. Now it's gone and it's back to my cats again, as other clubs here are all pigeon-holed into narrow genres I don't fit into.

Recent History #7 Fast forward to summer 2010. I got to fill in on bass with Pete "Dr. Banjo" Wernick's bluegrass trio at the first Russia -America Bluegrass Jamboree. Performing here at the Vologda State Museum, Vologda Russia.