1. How did you get started in music and how did you end up in Japan?
"I came to Okinawa 13 years ago on vacation and long story short, I started to play the guitar seriously and basically got most of my early training in the various clubs here. I liked the area and thought what a great place to raise a family and I've never looked back."

2. How many guitars and amps do you own and what are your favorites?
"I have a total of 30 guitars and I love all of them equally because they all sound different. I guess if I had to choose, I'd say my favorites are National steel guitars and Fender Telecasters. My #1 amp is a Matchless Clubman head and cabinet but I also have a Victoria Bandmaster, a SMF Head and an  Weber Tweed Twin.  Weber makes the best speakers period.

4. Rinken Teruya is the Executive Producer for Blue Sky, how did you get involved with a traditional Okinawan folk musician?
"I met Rinken a couple of years ago and because we are both into music we became friends. He offered his record company, AJIMA Records, to represent me and I couldn't pass that up! He gave me total creative control and unlimited use of his studio and staff to get Blue Sky done. Rinken helped me get the best Japanese studio musicians to play on the album too. He is awesome. I am very fortunate to have friends like him."

6. Speaking of fun, how much fun did you have on your tour with the famous Japanese musician Yoshio Nomura?
"Wow, it was unbelievable! It was so much fun and so much better than what I expected. The Japanese audiences were so into it. Japan is a beautiful country and driving to all the major cities to get to the clubs we played in was quite an adventure. It was so cold in some areas that once we had to put chains on the tires because there was so much snow, but we laughed the whole time. Yoshio and I get along well so we have just as much fun off stage as we do on stage. I had the best time of my life. I can't wait to do it again."

7. How was the US Tour in April?
"It was just stupid!. The band was blown away by how nice everyone was. I couldn't believe how many folks came out to the shows. We sold every CD we had. Get ready because we are coming back in September to do it again! "

8. Do you plan on working with Delaney again?
"I see Delaney every time I go to the states. In fact I was back last month.  We wrote 2 songs in about 3 hours.  We had enough time to record one all acoustic.  It was great to get together and make music and catch up.  He is my second Dad!"

9. Do you want to try to make it BIG in the states?
"I use to think that I needed to be in the states to create music. I talked to Phil Chen (bass guitar icon) about what I thought and he told me that you could be anywhere to make music. He's right. I got into music because I enjoy it and I feel that I can affect people through my songs. I don't play music to become famous. I like to help people think, feel love, or just feel good and have a good time. I've also met some really great people and learned a lot. I want to keep improving and also keep teaching others what I've I learned. I want to play around the world but I don't need to be in any specific place to make music."

10. What are your next projects?
We will be touring Japan again in April in support of "Lucidity".  In September we will play a few dates in the US.  The Crossroads Blues Festival is the big one on that tour.