Meet AJ

1. Musical Influences

Ok put me on the spot here...uummm....James Brown, I love old R&B , Stones, Little Feat, Sly and the Family Stone.

2. What Inspired you to make music a full time career

When I started playing in the 80's it wasn't hard to play 6 nights a week, which made it financially feasible to make a career out of music.

3. Spinal Tap Moments

An exploding drum kit in Melville, Saskatchewan. On an older rack system up on a riser, the riser gave way and the kit fell onto the stage and exploded into pieces and I was just sitting there. Literally there were toms rolling across the dance floor.

4. Favorite acts you toured with

Playing with groups like Harlequin, Farmer's Daughter, Streetheart, Tommy Chong and Mark Reeves, which allowed me share the stage with other acts like, Shania Twain, Merle Haggard, Pearl Jam, etc...

5. When did you join Harlequin

The first dates I played with them were in 95, off and on and I joined full time in 1997.

6. Favorite Harlequin songs

Thinking of You and Survive.

7.  Gear that you use

I use Tama, Yamaha and Ludwig

9. Thoughts on Today's Music scene.

The talent pool definitely exists today, but with limited venues to play and slots cut down from 6 nights a week to maybe 3, it's hard for many good musicians to get the exposure and experience they need to progress.