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Certain facts are immutable and consequently somewhat boring (similar to this first sentence); however, would any good bio be complete without them? I was born on October 9, 1947 in Hickory, NC to George (Sr.) and Retta. As a newborn I was short and bald, and I have managed to remain true to that ideal, altering my personage only by the addition of a perfectly coiffed beard, a paradigm shift in philosophy after two divorces, a successful career as a banjo player (heretofore mutually exclusive concepts: "success" and "banjo"), and a fabric of life with The Kingston Trio woven throughout.

While still in high school I was influenced by the most popular musical groups of that era, The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Chad Mitchell Trio, The Association, and The Beatles. I formed folk groups in high school and college, was drafted into the army after matriculation from Wake Forest University and played trumpet and piano in the Army band. After spending several years in Nashville playing at Opryland and doing studio work, I answered the call of The Kingston Trio, auditioned, and joined the group in Chicago in October of 1976. The rest, as they say, is a résumé.

I remain in The Kingston Trio because my love of performance, my respect for the music, and my admiration of the group that fomented it. I have given much to the entity of the Kingston Trio - orchestral scores, choral scores, record production - but mostly I have given my loyalty. And I continue to give it out of respect both as a fan and to the fans. Personally, the Kingston Trio has seen me through an enormous amount of growth. Professionally, the Trio has permitted me to become involved and stay involved with music and musicians of considerable ability and stature. For me, the singing of Tom Dooley every night is not just the repetition of a song, but a devotion to a concept known as The Kingston Trio.

On the personal side, my life was a bachelor's dream in southern California from '88 until '96. I moved then to Las Vegas, where, during hiatuses from touring with the Kingston Trio my lady (a sixth-grade schoolteacher) and I enjoy hiking and living a healthy lifestyle, except when we binge on cookie dough and sushi. I have one son, Matthew, a talented and creative musician and recording engineer who lives and works in Las Vegas, also.

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