What was it that first got you interested in playing the guitar, mandolin or banjo?
5 years ago, I happened upon a bluegrass jam at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA. I’d never heard or seen anything like it. I’d played pop piano and campfire guitar since I was a kid but had never really heard a banjo, mandolin, flat-picker, dobro or high-lonesome vocals. It was a lot to take in but I was hooked.
How long have you been playing and what’s your motivation to play?
I got my first banjo soon after watching the Cantab jam. I didn’t play it much until the last year during which I’ve played an increasing amount. My primary motivation for playing is being in a small local band and hosting a monthly open bluegrass jam. Another motivation is playing along with my kids who are starting to learn fiddle and piano.
What’s your favorite lesson on Ben’s site and how has it helped you improve?
Banjo Intro to Melodics. I enjoy dweebing on music theory and have so far played Scruggs primarily, so the melodic style is the natural progression. That lesson opened up a lot of options for exploring the middle of the neck.
What’s your goal when playing?
Crisp and accurate tone, consistent rhythm, traceable melody…getting it right, you know? I do a fair bit of teaching songs to my friends and kids and feel responsible for providing a sound that sticks in their head…in a good way.
Some of my favorite {songs} are Shady Grove, Blackberry Blossom, John Henry.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Tinker in the workshop. I tinker better than I organize, always too many unfinished projects floating around. Right now I’d love to finish converting our old Passat to an electric vehicle and get around to re-building the motor on the farm truck.
How long have you been a Gold Pick member?
Not long, a month or two
What do you do for a living?
General surgeon in a small town
What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?
Packing the kids, bikes, skis and instruments in the RV and cruising the USA
Who says you have to be missing teeth to play banjo. 
