I began playing guitar at 14. Almost immediately I was recruited into a "hard rock" cover band playing parties and high school dances. I quickly fell in love with music, leaving behind the sketch pads and artists' tools of my grade school days.

After high school I played guitar in bars and clubs as part of a punk/new wave band, The Maniatics, which incorporated both original and cover tunes. I remember soloing on tables, chairs and bar tops. We were a fun band!

The Maniatics released (2) songs on vinyl and my original, Without A Kiss, garnered praise from The Aquarian music paper as "Rock 'n' Roll Express' leading candidate for Area Song of the Year!" However, because of changes at the publication the contest was never held.

After The Maniatics broke up I spent several years concentrating on my writing and recording skills. Then I formed an original rock band, Smokin' Gun, where I sang lead and played guitar and some keyboards. This ended in a tonsillectomy! LOL

I married my beautiful wife and, while raising our son, we became Christians (see "My Testimony" on this page). I began to lead worship at church and write with a higher focus.

God began to use my songs in fairly dramatic ways. Click on these links for the (2) songs Sylvia (The Way To Be Well) and I Know About Good Dads for some examples.

I lost my ability to play guitar due to severe tendonitis in my left hand and arm. For 18 months I suffered with no improvement. Through my despair I heard God gently prompting me to try playing again, so I did.

Four months later, in December 2010, I found myself on the big stage of Carnegie Hall NYC playing guitar behind country star Sarah Darling in Tim Janis' production The American Christmas Carol!

In 2011 I had the pleasure of playing in (3) Man Conference events hosted by Legacy Minded Men. 

On 12/02/11 I had the distinct honor of playing behind Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love, Steven Van Zandt (E Street Band) and Tony award winner John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys) in another Tim Janis production at Carnegie Hall!

I regularly play guitar at Powerhouse Christian Church, 500 W Main St, Wyckoff, NJ, and I am trying to raise money for the poor using my original songs. Click here for more information.

I still suffer, in varying degrees, with the symptoms of tendonitis. But God's power is seen best through my weakness. I am in His hands.

My wife and I both had a desire to raise our son in some kind of religion, even though we did not practice one ourselves. We had begun to notice a little white church near our home. Our son needed to interview a member of the clergy for a Boy Scout project, so we contacted the church and Pastor Jim agreed to the interview. We also attended a Sunday morning service and I was very surprised at the warm and welcoming spirit of the people there.

Pastor Jim asked if he could visit us at home and we agreed. He brought church elder, Ed, with him and proceeded to ask us a series of questions: "Do you believe in God?" I could only answer truthfully by saying "sometimes". "Do you know that we're all sinners?" Yes, I knew that from my Catholic upbringing, and I felt it inside. "Do you know Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins?" Yes, I knew that. "Do you know there's a way to know for certain that you're going to Heaven?" I didn't know that. Then he said, "If you simply believe that Jesus died for your sins and accept God's forgiveness, you will go to Heaven."

WOW! This was inconceivable to me! Could this really be true, or was Pastor Jim just confused? It was like my heart and my mind were battling each other. I wanted to believe, but it seemed too simple. However, something seemed to be drawing me. I thought, "I have to get to know Jesus." This idea, "to know Jesus", suddenly seemed new, fresh, and exciting to me. Simultaneously, it seemed familiar and older than time itself.

This was the beginning of my personal relationship with Jesus, my new life! For the first time I could see my sin and anger for what they really were, and I knew that God could see them, too. But more than that, I could see that he loved me and forgave me. I knew that He would always be with me, guiding me and giving me strength, hope, peace and comfort. For the first time in my life I no longer felt empty. I knew that I was safe! Shortly after this, my wife and son accepted Christ, too.

I learned that all the things Pastor Jim told me were truths from the Bible. We immediately began attending Bible studies and God gave me a deep longing for His Word (the Bible). His Word became a strong guiding force in my life as well as a source of joy, comfort and wisdom. God gave me a desire to live an upright and honest life. Before, there had been a streak of unfaithfulness in me. Now, I long to serve my wife and be the best husband I can. Before, I was selfish and self-centered. Now, I desire to serve others for Christ's sake. I found that the more you give, the more you receive. That's another truth from the Bible!

May God Bless You ... HANK : )