Let’s just say it right up front, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer back in February 2016. Life was instantly changed forever. It was a time for me to slow down and to a close look at what was important in my life. The answers came pretty quickly. What is important is LIFE, LOVE and MUSIC.

LIFE: I dove right into chemo and hormone therapy. I spent a lot of time with my family, Hope, my wife, and Yazmin, my daughter (who came all the way back from Cuba to help out) and I had chemo “picnics” and just hung out at home while I endured the joys of chemotherapy.

LOVE: lot’s of it from every direction in the world. I had time to stop and listen, and people from all parts of my life did the same for me. In July my former employer Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua helped put on a benefit for me. Musicians from all over the country volunteered to play, and we had an amazing night at the “Big Tent” with over 1000 people in the audience.

MUSIC: All through my treatment Ric and I continued to gig. After a few months, my doctor Mihalo Lalich and I agreed I should slow down a little bit. So, eventually Ric and I stopped our regular gigging, but we continued to write and record some (here’s our latest Council Hill).

So now, thanks to all the love, support and medical technology, I am a cancer survivor, and I am officially in remission. The blood indicator for prostate cancer is off the bottom end of the charts, and has been there for 6 months. It’s time to regrow my hair, exercise, and start reviving my fiddle chops.

Ric has booked some gigs starting in March, (Shows) and I hope to see you all there.