What was the first concert you ever saw?
I was in high school, and it was Tower of Power at what is now known as the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, but back then, it was the Paramount Northwest. I loved Tower of Power because of their great horn section.
What CDs are in your changer right now?
None. The CDs I listen to are things that I'm working on. I don't listen to old CDs. That's not part of my thing.
How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes, 8-tracks)?
Between 400 and 500.
Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?
I have to do it legally, because that's how I hope people will download my music. But I love downloading music; it's a great convenience.
What was the first album you owned?
It was probably a Tower of Power record. I think it was the one with "What Is Hip?" on it. (Tower of Power, 1973).
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Probably one I wrote, "Songbird." That song changed my life.
Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don't know about?
What's your favorite guilty pleasure?
I like listening to classical music. That's pretty predictable, though.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Grover Washington Jr. When I heard his albums in high school, the sound of his saxophone really intrigued me. I wanted to know how he got such a beautiful sound. That was a big inspiration to me.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Cannonball's Bossa Nova by Cannonball Adderley.
