I've been a singer all my life and am a firm believer that a good tune is a good tune regardless of genre. I found over the years that I was listening to a wider and wider range of tunes as I expanded both my mind and vocal repetoire with rock, blues, R&B, jazz, country, latin and whatever else piqued my interest.

My first instrument was a bass. I'd heard "My Generation" and remembered thinking, "Who knew a bass guitar could do that?" Eventually I found myself in a Skynryd tribute band "St...