I've played music most of my life. I became totally obsessed with guitars when I was 9. (I didn't have one available, so I drew pictures of them all the time.)  I also spent a lot of this time pretending I was Alice Cooper. 

Since the only instrument in the house was a piano and I couldn't convince my parents to buy me a guitar, I grudgingly settled for taking piano lessons when I was 11.  I took  formal lessons for six months. I quickly began figuring out music on my own and quit lessons to teach myself the type of songs I was more interested in.  

In the summer between my 13th and 14th birthday I finally got my first guitar. My Dad matched me for half the price of a Harmony Stella.

I taught myself to play by sometimes using books, but most often by  listening to records over and over to figure out how my favorite players were doing it. I also began composing my own music.

I began taking electric guitars apart and hot-rodding them when I was 15. 

I began giving private guitar lessons when I was 17. 

I began earning my music degree when I was 19.

In 1989, I moved to Minnesota and attended what was then named The Red Wing Technical College. It was an intensive 2 year program where I learned the fundamentals of how to repair music devices ranging from old tube units to the latest microprocessor based units. I earned my degree in Electronic Music Technology. (The college has since changed names and no longer offers the electronic repairs courses, but continues teaching string and band instrument repairs.)

I worked in a prominent music store in St. Louis for over 3 years performing all electronic repairs, then obtained a position at St. Louis Music, manufacturer of Ampeg and Crate amplifiers. I worked in the SLM service department for about a year. I then got promoted to the research and development department, where I built and de-bugged newly designed amplifier prototypes. I worked in R&D for about 3 years, then made the leap to start my own business in 1998.

Since 1998 I have owned own and operated  "Roger's Music Repair" where I repair and restore electronic musical devices, guitars and basses.  I personally handle each aspect of the business. My skills with electronics and guitars are closely tied into the things I do with music; I've modified and customized nearly every piece of equipment I use. By keeping the business small I can stay in direct contact with my customers and build professional relationships with them.

While running my business, I enrolled in the local university. I graduated with honors in 2006 with my Bachelor degree. During college, I stepped away from playing guitar for a while. Near graduation, I became excited about playing again due to the music of Brian Setzer. Since then, I've immersed myself in rockabilly and surf music with my stongest interest being in the music of Stray Cats, Rev. Horton Heat, Dick Dale and Chuck Berry. I've resumed playing out again and I'm currently writing my own music. Additionally, I do a solo act of (mostly) classic rock cover tunes where I use loopers to add layers of music in real time as I perform.

I have also resumed teaching private guitar lessons. I get great results with my students and I really love teaching.