John was required (by his father) to take piano lessons (from his piano teacher mother) starting at tender age of 5. Eventually his parents gave in and let him take some guitar lessons and his grandmother gave him an electric guitar and amp for his 12th Christmas.

Like every other long haired early teen in the seventies he dug rock&roll but growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee, he developed a love for old timey and traditional Irish music. Then when 14, he saw Earl Scruggs at the Grand Ole Opry and had to have a banjo. The following summer he got a job playing banjo in the saloon show at what is now known as Dollywood and in the fall began teaching banjo (and guitar and bass) at the local music store.

Over the years he played and recorded with various rock, country, gospel and bluegrass combos but has gradually (to preserve his hearing) gone all acoustic picking up the mandolin, dobro and most recently, the 5-string violin.

As a very recently retired tax CPA, John now has more time to focus on music (especially with the Ramblers) as well as his other passions, which (as a certified rescue diver) include scuba diving (preferably warmer water) and spending time with family (including 7 grand children in CA and TN).