Born and raised in Texas (yes, everything IS bigger), I've been into music ever since I can remember. Thankfully, my mother made sure that I was exposed to all styles of music and, to this day, I love and appreciate virtually any genre.

As far as playing music goes, took piano for several years and played violin (yes, VIOLIN!) throughout intermediate and high school. So how did I pick up bass guitar?

A buddy of mine, Rick, needed some cash and, being the good friend I am, I loaned it to him. After awhile, he was concerned that he might not be able to pay me back soon, so he gave me his Fender MusicMaster Bass to hold as collateral. Well, long story short, I ended up minus the cash, plus a bass, and it remained in my closet for years. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Years later, I owned a club in Susanville, California (don't ask!!), and hired a guy to deejay. He was referred by my partner Ken (another story for another time) and his name was Steve Purdy. One weekend, Steve wanted to have a birthday celebration for his son, complete with a jam session -- so, he set up all the gear in the club and invited his friends to come and play. His bass player didn't show, so he enlisted my help, calling out root notes while I tried my best to thump along on this god-awful, Hoffner-wanna-be, no name bass. Steve admitted that it was in poor condition and said something like, "I wish I had a Fender." To which I replied, "I've got a Fender in my closet!"

The rest, as they say, is history. Steve and I played in Avatar, and I met Mark when Steve invited him to sit in on a gig at the T-A Lounge. Then, we all ended up on Guam playing as a back-up band for Maria Yatar; then, as Crossroads with Stephanie Anderson on lead vocals (great voice, great legs!) until her husband made her quit and Scott Carr on drums until he left the island; then, as Riptide with Paul LaRaque on drums, Mike Leone on vocals (great voice, not so great legs!) who left the island and was replaced by Kim Aikens (okay voice, great legs!).

It was during this time that I was also on the air at KUAM-FM Classic 94 on weekends and was offered a morning show gig on Saipan at KRSI-FM, Hot 98. I moved to Saipan, but commuted every weekend back to Guam (talk about Frequent Flier miles!) to gig with Riptide. Eventually our drummer departed the island and, alas, it was over.

Cut to 1999 - I decide it is time to sign-off for the final time at Hot 98 (ANOTHER story!!) and leave Saipan. Luckily, I had visited Seattle during the NAB Radio Show in '98 and had reconnected with Paul (moved here in the Navy), and Mark (crash-landed here and moved IN with Paul for awhile when a job fell through), and Steve (who followed Paul and Mark to Puget Sound). Hopes of reforming Riptide were dashed by reluctance from Mark and Paul; so, Steve and I got our live music fix by being hired guns in Foggie Notion (yet ANOTHER story!!!) until its demise as it came to prominence.

And, now, the 3 of us are together again, but this time doing it acoustically. Voices are stronger, music is cleaner, and I think we are having more fun than we've ever had before (with the possible exception of the practice nights at the Guam rehearsal house and the infamous gig at Oscar's on Tarague beach; but, I digress....), and we're pretty sure that you'll have fun with us.

Hope to see you soon at a gig near you!

Patrick