I grew up with a dad who played five instruments and performed in a polka band – and a brother who was a classical pianist.  I used to go to my dad’s polka band shows and enjoy seeing his normally shy demeanor transform into quite a showman.  Meanwhile, I loved coming home from school and sitting to listen to my brother Peter – playing classical pieces by Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Schubert, Rachmaninoff etc. At the age of 10, my father bought me a drum set and taught me all of the classic popular songs from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. My father also taught me how to play banjo and guitar, and when I was 15 years old I bought my first Yamaha guitar with money I saved from working at my brother Joe’s country market.