So it’s the summer
of 1998 and I’m sitting around the house while all my friends have plans. I notice an old 70’s
style applause guitar that belonged to my dad, leaning against my couch. I pick it up and start strumming.
Just the right hand playing and my left, is not quite there yet. But little did I know that I was
getting all the rhythm down. So here I am all rhythm, no technique. My dad gets me some
lessons at E.U. Wurlitzer, I get the basic chords down and in three weeks, I’m done!
My brother in-law is hosting Karaoke Night at Judge Roy Bean on Sunday. He calls
me up and says, “Bring your guitar and play for an hour or so”. So, I did! Not
knowing what to expect, I get up on stage, plug in my guitar, and do my first mic check. My first song
is about four minutes long, I hit the last chord and hear people clap. I’ve been addicted ever since.
Shortly after a few Sundays with Sean, Judge Roy Bean asks me to run an “Open Mic Night” on Tuesdays.
I agree and run it for about five years.
I’m at this one
in particular Open Mic Night, this girl (Heather Church) comes up to me and says “My band just broke up tonight, and
I think you sound great, would you like to play with a violinist”? In my head I’m thinking,
a girl wants to jam with me?? I say, sure! At the time I was playing with my friends,
Andy Tarter (Drums) and Neil Colman (Bass) and I set up a practice on the third floor of the Bean. This
is the birth of Rune.
Rune has been playing now for about 4 years.
I’m still doing my acoustic thing with a few friends to play along. I’ve played on some
of the greatest stages and played some of the greatest dive bars on the east coast. I’m still addicted!