I have been singing professionally for 12 years. I started by singing country and oldies at area fairs and festivals with the 4-H Performing Arts club. These were the days of matching sequined suspenders, double denim and opening for the square dance squad. We racked up a lot of community service hours and free funnel cakes, but I did it mostly to meet boys. This effort was not so successful, as I later learned, most boys in the Performing Arts club were not…how to say this? I will just note that they rather enjoyed the sequins.

The next step in my path to local stardom occurred when I was referred to Knight Moves Dance Studio in Manchester, Maryland. The idea was to step up the show and beat out the beef products. (See above). There I learned, after years of deception, that I was, in fact, Caucasian! I left with few dance skills, but gained a bit more confidence and two great mentors, Dani Knight and Jeff MacDonald. They led me to Toyz Recording Studio, where producer Frank Starchak helped me record my first album. The album consisted of all original songs written by local artists and even a few of my own works. I was 13.

I was singing all Country music and began working with local bands for fill-in gigs. A local radio station, Froggy 100.7, of Westminster, Maryland, held a competition to determine the opening act for a 20,000 person field concert. The headliners included Jeff Carson, Shenandoah, John Anderson and Martina McBride. My family has always been extremely supportive. Bless mom, who sent in my demo and this kid, (right here!) won the competition. It was a fantastic experience and with the support of Westminster High School, (Ok, so I really wasn’t sick), McDaniel College, my parents and fan club president Janice Cool, I went on to open up for more great Country acts such as, Mila Mason, Lorrie Morgan, Gary Allen, Chad Brock, The Dixie Chicks and The Charlie Daniels Band.