I'm a creative problem solver, improvisatory engineer, professional traveling rhythm maker, self motivated dishwasher and kitchen cleaner, appreciator of the simple things in life

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

After 6 years and hundreds of couches surfed with my band The Appleseed Collective (see profile linked below), I've finally decided to create my own account. I've recently been traveling around the Middle East and Europe. A musician's salary doesn't include a hotel budget, and we all know the best way to experience a city is through its people. Let's meet and share stories!
https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/theappleseedcollective

Interests

I've been a music lover since 1987, raised on Miles Davis and Pete Seeger, branching out from there.
I started as a percussionist in 1999 in concert band, then explored jazz, punk, funk, rock & roll, metal, hard rock, hip hop, honky tonk, pop, singer/songwriter stuff, eventually finding my niche playing swing washboard.
I graduated high school in 2005 from a small student based educational hub called Clonlara, which grew out of the homeschooling movement in the 60's. I still practice learning and teaching through real world experiences.
I started in the trades as a painter in 2007, and became an independent building contractor soon after. I am lucky enough to have done most of my work under general contractors with art degrees, and in historic houses dating back to the 1800s. I now keep my skills sharp remodeling my own home and doing random projects along the way.
In 2011 I became a professional touring washboardist, having now traveled a quarter million miles and playing near a thousand shows in 33 US states.
I bought my first motorcycle in 2013, and have put 2500 miles on my 1985 Yamaha XJ700 in the last two years, mostly traveling around Michigan so far, but looking forward to more long distance travel on two wheels in the future!

• motorcycles
• jazz
• drums
• ukulele
• funk
• percussion
• construction
• alternative education

Music, Movies, and Books

Music, I'll keep the list short for now:
Victor Wooten - one of the first two albums I chose for myself out of thousands in my older siblings' collection. Seen him play at least 5 times, most recently with Cory Wong. Every show wildly different, every show face-melting.
Jethro Tull - the other of the first two albums. My first big rock show, age 16. Still know every word on the album, and can scat the flute solos.
Desmond Jones - Dear friends of mine, beautiful melody makers and collaborators, improvisatory explorers and champion funksmen, a constant inspiration

Books:
Ishmael - Daniel Quinn
Long Walk To Freedom - Nelson Mandela
33 Revolutions Per Minute - Dorian Lynskey
Hagakure - Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy (trilogy) - Douglas Adams
Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

On Christmas morning 2015, I received a pink bunny onesie, a replica of Ralphie's from A Christmas Story (minus the footies). After presents the family took a break for a few hours before dinner. It was unusually warm, about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so I put on my leathers and pulled the onesie on over it, pinning the hood so it would stay up over my helmet, and proceeded to ride my red motorbike around town for several hours. In Michigan, everyone always hopes for a white Christmas, and dry ground after a few months of dreary grey skies can be quite a downer for some folks. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people's days were brightened by my joyride. Every car gave me a honk or a wave or thumbs up, and one woman came out of her house to tell me I saved Christmas for her.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Jordan, Netherlands

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, United States