I was born in Utica, New York and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  I also spent a number of years in different parts of the country.  My mom singlehandedly raised my younger brother and I, and did an outstanding job I might add. I was born in 1969, near the end of one of the most radical movement our country had ever seen.  I consider myself as being an immediate offspring of the radical sixties, I began my creative writing in the seventh grade, writng lyrics to the music that was playng in my head.  My greatest musical influence was Prince.  From the moment I heard his album Controversy, I was hooked.  I knew from that point on that I wanted to be a singer/songwriter. I wanted to share with the world my most inner feelings along with the feelings of those around me through the art of music. When I reached the eleventh grade, I was heavy influenced by my African-American studies teacher, Dr. Navies of Berkeley High school.  His passion and knowledge for history motivated me to become a history teacher as well.  Never surrendering my passion of being an entertainer, I pondered on the idea of how I could bring the two worlds together. One being the entertainer and the other a teacher enlightening the masses. I believe with this introductory of my first novel "Daddy Doesn't Want to Dance Anymore", I've accomplished my life long dream.