I play drums and percussion for three music groups: Charles Atkins Blues Band, Charles Atkins & Company, and The Mayhaws. I am very fortunate to live in a area blessed with so many excellent musicians; Tallahasse, Florida. Tallahassee is the home of Florida State University (FSU) which is one of the finest music schools in the nation. Charles is known as the "professor of the blues," since he teaches and conducts the blues and improvisation labs at FSU.

About the The Mayhaws: The mayhaw is the fruit of several kinds of hawthorn trees native to the low and swampy parts of the deep south. As the name implies, the fruit ripens in early May. Because hawthorn trees are covered in thorns and impossible to climb, folks used to go out and collect the fruit by laying a blanket under the tree and shaking the haws out onto it. The jellies and wines made from the mayhaw are considered to be amongst the finest in the world.

Like their namesakes, The Mayhaws are sweet and thorny, playing music rooted in American and American-immigrant traditions. Each member brings to the enterprise a wealth of musical experience, their combined talents resulting in a piquant mix of folk, honky-tonk, soul, bluegrass and old-school country. A Mayhaws set can run the gamut from traditional hill music to delta blues to pop songs re-imagined as jug tunes.

Two people in my life have given me the most musical inspiration; Clark Gandy (I miss you dearly) and Charles Atkins. Mr. Gandy is no longer with us, but he believed in my music more than anyone I know. He was my music instructor from age 12 to age 18. Charles now provides me the opportunity to once again learn more and more about becoming, not only a fine musican, but a professional musican. Charles gave me the nickname, Sweetgroove.

I don't have any specific musical or artist influence. I don't have a favorite artist; I like so many in all genres. It just has to be good. I do tend to lean toward country and blues. I love the emotion from both.

Anyway, I hope to see you around. And beware, I now have a new slogan, given to me by Carrie Hamby from The Mayhaws, "She has a cowbell, and she knows how to use it."