Ken's Biography

Originally from New York City (Did I hear someone yell "Get a rope"?), I began playing guitar at about the age of 14. I came from a very musically oriented household where there was always something playing on the Stereo, from The Beatles to Jazz and Classical. Being self taught, I first taught myself to read music and apply it to the guitar and piano. Then, knowing where all of the notes were, I tried to play everything I heard. Playing by ear became second nature and is probably the skill that has afforded me the opportunities to play with so many great musicians through the years. I started with just about every Rolling Stones Album, then on to Clapton, The Allman Bros. and Santana, to name a few. At the same time I was finding all of the original versions of their music I could get my hands on, which had me working out all of the Classic Blues Artists styles I could. I never really tried to learn the songs for the purpose of playing them, I was more interested in working out every nuance of every note. The inflections, economy of notes and phrasing, were just some of the lessons I was looking to take from my practice.

At about 15 years old, I purchased what would be my first "Real" guitar, a 1969 Gibson SG Standard, I suddenly had the tool I needed to hone my skills. I was also very fortunate, as I had caught the ear of some of New Yorks Finest Recording and Performing Artists and was mentored by them for the next few years. Playing just about every Studio in New York, I was exposed to just about every style of music imaginable and my skills of playing by ear, as well as reading music, made me versatile enough to keep up with all of it. By the time I was 18 I headed off to college and left what was a pretty charmed musical past behind.

In my 20's I headed to the Bay Area of California and really started up playing again. I was again fortunate to become friends with some great musicians and found myself playing some of the great blues clubs as a guest musician, as well as working on some projects of people I had truly admired. Unfortunately in the midst of all this my Guitar was stolen and as I was hard pressed to find a suitable replacement, I just left my playing behind for many years.

I arrived in Portland, Oregon in 1992 and while I was invited to play with many of Portlands finest musicians, I felt like there was too much competition amongst guitarists and I just never felt comfortable enough to start playing again.

That all changed in early 2006, when a good friend opened a small club called "The Turtle Shell". I was sitting there one night when Muddy Joe Carter and Guitarist Greg Seymour were holding a Jam Session. I figured it could never get more comfortable than this, so the next week I showed up with a guitar. I had such a great time and Joe and Greg were so supportive that I just kept going. After such a long layoff from the guitar, I had a lot to relearn and a lot of new things to draw from. As Greg and Joe moved their Jam Session around town I stayed with them. It gave me the opportunity to play with so many of the areas best musicians like Robert Carson, who always took the time to work with and encourage me. I'll always be indebted to Turtle, Joe and Greg for all of the great musical experiences I've had ever since. I then ran into Mike Beaver, he's been around the Portland Music Scene for I think Forever... He hosted jam sessions and ended up hosting one at The Turtle Shell, where I played with him every wednesday night. He is really a master at putting the right musicians together on stage and with his guidance I soon found myself being hired as a Lead Guitarist for Bands around Portland.

So, as my style began to evolve all over again, I now began to search for the tone I wanted. I had an old 1964 Gibson SG that I had purchased in 1992, at the time it needed some work so it had been sitting in a closet all these years. With some excellent work by the folks at The Twelfth Fret, it now plays just beautifully. I happily use them for all of my guitar repair and setup needs. I also stumbled on a gentleman named Mike McBride, out of North Carolina, who makes all of my guitar picks from old Silver Quarters. He calls them MOJO Picks and they have become sort of a signature of mine. People are always suprised at the sound I get using them. I couldn't imagine playing without them. I then picked up a very nice Fender Stratocaster which influenced my playing style and sound. I also went through a handfull of amplifiers before settling on the Peavey Classic's that I now use on stage.

In August of 2006, I was approached by "The Yanks" to play alongside Jamie Mehan. Playing guitar with and getting to know Jamie, will always be one of the highlites of my musical career. I also got heavily involved with The Yanks Promotions, Bookings and Advertising, which was a great education in itself. However, as The Yanks had been around for 6 years already, they decided to disband after my being with them for about 8 months.
This section wouldn't be complete if I didn't also mention my friend, guitarist, JR Sims here. JR has been a great mentor, advisor and true friend who welcomed me and my playing to his stages during late 2006. I will remember every one of those nights forever. I know I'm leaving many people out here, so suffice it to say that it has been the support of so many wonderful musicians, fans and friends who have helped me shape my playing style over this past year and a half.

All of this brings me to today...

I am currently working on a personal recording project as well as looking to assemble a new band of my own. I'm sure it will be a road with many new challenges, but then that's what keeps it exciting.