"Uncle John" is all about friends and family. Each track is unique and solid, just like the person represented in the tune. I hope everybody has an Uncle John or a Queen of Paris in their life. I earned my Masters Degree in Composition from San Francisco State. It wasn't always easy playing the funky clubs at night and then studying the "serious" composers by day. But Henry Onderdonk, my mentor at SFSU never let me slide. This cd is dedicated to him. Of course he went to Michigan, just like I did, so you know he was bad! There's one tune on the cd that has no connection to me personally. "Rachel Came By Here" is dedicated to Rachel Corrie who had the courage to stand up for her beliefs and paid the price. Diem of "Diem One" just got married. I played the ceremony and the neighbors called the cops...it was rockin! There are some great people portrayed in the music on this cd. Try it, you'll like it! And check out Percy Scott's cd if you get a chance and the guys with nexlevel! I worked with Percy up in Oakland and he's a great musician, and I'm on a new gospel project that'll be coming out soon... "The Dude abides..."