I  was born the eldest child to a  large, Catholic,  U.S. Air Force family in New York City.  Mom would stroll me about the city streets in my English pram; it was safe during those days.

At age 2, the family was transferred to Mill Valley, California.  The highlight of our time  there was going to Disney World.  Aunt Anne accompanied us on the several trips that we made there.

Next, we were stationed at Keesler Air Base. I can remember slipping on newspaper in the dining room (the floors were freshly mopped) and cutting my chin.  I wear the scar to this day.

At 5 years-old, the family moved to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.  My first school was St. Patrick Catholic School. I immediately took a liking

to academics, earning "straight A+" report cards during first and second grades.   Too, on Sundays,  Dad would bring me on  base to the radar bubbles and show me the Russian and Cuban war enterprises on the radar scopes.  What memorable experiences for a 7 years-old youngster! (I didn't know till at least 10 years later that Dad's job was classified "secret" in the US Air Force). No wonder he would leave for weeks at a time, destination unknown to the family!  That must have been rough on Mom.

In time for the beginning of third grade,  we transferred to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida.  I attended St. John Catholic School,excelling in all classes.   During fourth grade, I became a member of the National Honor Society; I am, to this day, enrolled in it at Florida State University.  Too, I began my studies of the piano, organ and harpsichord:  first, under Mrs. Darby then under Professor Jarvis of Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama.  We were stationed in  Montgomery until I completed eighth grade at St. Bede Catholic School.  Too, I was the newspaper carrier for both morning and evening routes of the local newspaper and the organist for all Catholic services on base.

After Gunter A.F.B. in Montgomery, AL, our family enjoyed almost the next four years in Europe.  Stationed, first, in Regensburg, Germany (where I was the chapel organist, too),  we met and sang for Pope Paul VI, visited friends and family in Ireland, visited Spain and Mediterranean countries.  The most exciting aspect for me is that I attended boarding school in Munich for freshman year and was Entertainment Director of Muenchen Internacionales Oberschule -  meeting Duke Ellington,  Herb Alpert and Tijuana Brass, John Kay and Steppenwolf, the Fifth Dimension and the elegant lady, Ms. Diana Ross - for concerts that I had arranged to be held at the Opera House in Munich,  Germany 1969-70.  In Muenchen, too, I was the organist for Munich Army Post.  Since beer-drinking was legal at age 14, I participated in the Oktoberfest.  

In June 1970,  the family was transferred to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.  I immediately became the organist for Catholic services that summer before starting sophomore year at Kaiserslautern  American High School.  Too, I joined the "Hear 'n' Now Singers" (the European counterpart of "Up with People", under the direction of Dan Elkins.  I was enrolled in Independent Study, so I rarely attended a formal class - yet maintained excellent standing in the National Honor Society.  The most memorable parts about high school in Germany were the proms and dances. They were held in Innsbruck, Garmiche and the AYA (American Youth Association) at Ramstein Air Base.  "Hear 'n' Now Singers" performed in many cities throughout Germany.  Once, after a lengthy trip through East Germany to sing at the American chapel  in West Berlin (before destruction of "The Wall"), I could have sworn that angels were singing.  The acoustics were that phenomenal.  Also, I was president of the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) for both years the family was at Ramstein. Our group took several low-cost, yet wonderful tours of Paris, London, Brussels, Barcelona,Luxembourg, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and other destinations.  We certainly   have travelled.

In June 1972, we were stationed at Hancock Air Base in North Syracuse, New York.  There, too, I was the chapel organist  and newspaper carrier for the morning newspaper.  Although I was critically injured in a van/pedestrian accident on 11.19.1972 with my best friend from Germany, and I missed 6 months of my Senior Year at North Syracuse Central High School, I still graduated with a #3 scholastic rank in my class of 358 students.  ...not bad for a person who had undergone 4 brain surgeries that past year.

After  completing intensive physical therapy, I visited that friend in Maine before beginning my studies at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

I exempted my freshman year of college via the CLEP Exam, so I graduated FSU  in 1976.  After a very brief year as front office manager at Perdido Bay Country Club, I moved to Atlanta to enjoy "city life".  Life was great until I made that phone call to Dad...