CURRENT MISSION

Exploration and Discovery

ABOUT ME

I was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, which is nestled in the northwest corner of the Pelican State, sandwiched between the cowboy culture of East Texas and the pine forest of Southwest Arkansas. Shreveport is an interesting place to grow up because of the influx of cultures, but is far removed from the beautiful freak show that is New Orleans.

We eat crawfish, but, for the most part, we're not Cajuns.

I celebrate my Southern upbringing and still enjoy visiting the South, but I currently live in Chicago, Illinois. I came here via Madison, Wisconsin (another beautiful, peaceful city). A long story got me here, but the long and short of it is, I've been pursuing a career in music since dropping out of graduate school in 2004.

My education continues as I'm currently working on my 10th album. I've toured in a van and met many colorful characters and seen a lot of the US, but not much abroad.

I love playing the guitar, reading, friendly people, excellent food and new experiences. CHA CHA!

PHILOSOPHY

I live to learn and I'm trying to live to give back to the people I connect with. I try to connect with every one I come across.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm happy to host anyone traveling through Chicago. I want the world to be a safer, more open and accepting place and I want to embrace the idea of a global community. Welcome to Chicago!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My Couchsurfing experience is limited. While on tour with a songwriter, I "porchsurfed" under a host's porch swing, snug and warm in my sleeping bag. He was legitimately hosting for us, but I found the porch more comfortable, as I do have dog-like tendencies.

I also Couchsurfed with a wonderful, gracious woman in the hills of Austin. She made us very welcome and was a fantastic host.

I've done a lot of informal couchsurfing through the years and tours, sleeping on floors, couches, chairs and anything else semi-horizontal and welcoming. Most of those decisions were strongly guided by our depleting band fund, as in, we had no money.

Interests

Music, food, broken in catchers mitts, sunlit rooms, flea markets, estate sales, vintage guitars and keyboards, concerts, diners, dive bars, bike rides, books, people.

• dogs
• culture
• writing
• books
• concerts
• education
• dining
• cooking
• reading
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• teaching
• tours
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

"The World According to Garp" -John Irving (book)
"Overboard" -Gary Marshall (movie)
Beck, The Rolling Stones, JJ Cale and 10,000 more...this is a never ending list. They all are really.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have seen the Marfa Lights in Marfa, Texas.

Teach, Learn, Share

Guitar! Songwriting! Writing! I absolutely suck at cooking.

Countries I’ve Visited

Dominican Republic, Japan

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States