About Me

Words are powerful and they sell. 

In my 35+ years as a published journalist (my first professional writing gig came at age 16), I've made a career in music and sports, but I'm no stranger to hard news. In fact, while still in high school at just 17 years old, one of my first newspaper assignments was to cover a double murder-for-hire in the upscale town of Munster, IN. Look up the Levine murders...it's Menendez brothers level stuff!

A 3x published memoir / autobiography coauthor, I've also written media kit biographies, PR pieces, press releases, advertising copy, instruction manuals, content for websites, magazines, newspapers, brochures, newsletters and so much more. The biggest compliment I've received is my ability to "take on the voice" of my subject and help them tell their story in their voice. That's the challenge and that's what I love to do.   

My books:

THE FLIP SIDE: Where Chicago Rocked (Eckhartz Press)

Released November 29, 2024

DOIN' THE CRUISE: Memories From A Lifetime in Radio and Rock & Roll (Eckhartz Press)

2018 Book Of The Year Finalist by the Chicago Writers Association. 

NO ONE SAID IT WOULD BE EASY: A Husband's Journey Through His Wife's Battle with Breast Cancer (Dunham Books)

Amazon Best Seller rankings in Canada (#1), Australia (#3) and the USA (#7)

As a music journalist, I've spent the majority of my years in country and rock serving as everything from a magazine owner / editor (American Country & THIS Is Country) to a senior staff writer for WUSN-FM's Chicago Country, The Midwest Beat, and a writer for a number of other publications including (but definitely not limited to) American Songwriter, Country Weekly, and Country Song RoundUp. On the rock side of things, I primarily spent my time inside the 80's metal era with Hit Parader, Chicago Metal Monthly, The Call Magazine (Indianapolis) and more. I also spent a small amount of time in the early to mid 90's also writing in the pop and hip-hop world writing for Uptown Magazine.

I've worked with and interviewed the biggest music and sports stars in the world along with scores of unknowns. Publicists, record labels and the artists themselves have tapped me to write album release media kit bios and materials for George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Poison, Ray Scott, George Ducas, Sony/Quartz Hill Records, Australia's The Buckleys, American Idol winners Noah Thompson, Joey+Rory and many more.  

DON'T BE FOOLED - I'M MUCH MORE THAN JUST MUSIC!

Along with my first book which dealt with a man's first person account of his journey through his wife's battle with breast cancer, I have authored and worked on numerous other stories far outside the musical realm. While my ghostwriting agreements prevent me from naming specific works, these are all first-person stories ranging from a man's traumatic childhood and complicated relationship with his father to a former adult dancer coming to grips with her past. 

I am also a successful publicist and marketing professional, having represented a number of clients, notably Super Bowl champion Dennis McKinnon (Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys) for his book release. I served as the Bud Light Tour Sponsorship Manager for both George Strait and Tim McGraw as well as held the title of Director of Marketing & Communications for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, CBS Chicago radio stations (WSCR-AM, WCKG-FM), horse racing facilities (Balmoral Park) and a combo golf course / restaurant / hotel property (Ravisloe Country Club / LaBanque Hotel / LaVoute Restaurant). Additionally, I've produced large scale, celebrity led events ranging from charity golf outings (NFL legend Walter Payton / Chicago Bears), 5k Runs (Dina Bair / WGN-TV) to charity Harley rides for (MLB legend Ron Kittle / Chicago White Sox).

For many years I have been active in the war on cancer with Chicago based DWCC, raising money to fund breast cancer prevention research as well as provide access to care for women who can't afford it, as well as the St. Baldrick's Foundation helping to fight childhood cancer. 

I'm a lover of all types of music ranging from (but definitely not limited to) country to rock to red dirt to punk. Sinatra-esque crooners and my guilty pleasure of 70's & 80's pop also fall into the mix. 

A die-hard sports fan and avid (yet not-very-good) golfer, I love baseball, football, hockey, and hoops which means the Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls each own a piece of my heart. I live in the Chicago area with my wife Sharon and our super sweet, this-close-to 16-year-old dog, Daisy. I am also the proud father of my son, Michael.