Matt & Mark started after Matt and I spent many nights piecing together songs I was formulating at the time, comingled with current and past folk/rock (ie. Jimmy Buffett, CSN&Y, Tom Waits, Beatles). Nancy was ever-present, so when we spoke of playing out, which we did with more frequency and certainty, she was always included.

And play out we did.

After performing as a duo at an Indian Shores art show, "Matt & Mark" tackled some weekends as a trio at the Keg and Cork on Madiera Beach. This was a good fit. We played enough popular tunes for credibility and familiarity, then launched into a series of my growing list of songs. Soon we were playing with regularity all around the area, as well as private engagements.

We were very happy when old acquaintance John Comerford came aboard with his bass, and soon after, when we encorporated a drummer. Calling ourselves "Matt & Mark" no longer seemed appropriate, although I always liked the off-hand biblical reference. We finally named ourselves after one of my songs - "Sweet Madness". In retrospect, the name change probably didn't help.

At our peak in the middle of our craft, we were "like buttuh". The harmonies were a three-layer cake, and we made all the songs our own.

Highlights: Coffee Break Concert (live radio) on WSRZ 102.5 FM in Sarasota; a house band situation at the Magic Mushroom, Pinellas Park; playing the Coast Guard base in St. Petersburg; Skip's on Madiera Beach, and Mad Monk's Inn in Gainesville, Florida.

Matt is lost in the Carribean on his catamaran with his wife. They work when they need to -- he's a master with teak -- and as I understand it hop from island to island the rest of the time. Although I wish we got to see him now and then... rock on Matt! Way to go.

John (Johnny C) is a lifelong friend. He visits now when he can, and has lately become my "benefactor" (again), as he has bestowed hardware and software on me, making my home studio about as nice as I could hope for! He is one of the best bassists I've had the pleasure of knowing, and his band, the MotorPsychic Band is burning 'em up in the Virginia Beach area..

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