A.: My father is a guitar player for his church and he does not listen to very much country but he was always a very big fan of Chet Atkins and he also liked to watch the TV Show "Hee Haw" with Roy Clark and Buck Owens. As a child, I always liked that 'Hot guitar playing', as my father called it, when he saw Roy Clark or Chet playing the guitar.

Q.: What does C&W music mean to you personally?

A.: I think that Country music is the best way for me to release emotions and feelings in a style others can understand. When I can hear a story, either real or made up, and have it make sense, the song has made a point. Along with that I just like the harmony and the energy of country music when people sing and play together to make such a wonderful sound.

Q.: What's your opinion about C&W music made in Germany?

A.: Living in the US and up in Alaska I am detached from most outside music except what I can find on the internet and on local Country stations. The Radio stations are owned by Companies somewhere outside of Alaska and they play the same songs over and over again from their strict play list. To be honest I don't listen to the radio much for that reason. I like what I hear coming from Germany and other European Countries. It does not have that over produced sound.

Q.: How important is the world-wide presence of C&W music in your eyes?

A.: I believe that traditional country music should be preserved as a style just as bluegrass or classical. It can show future generations their roots and they can get a sense of what we are like and how we think. In addition, the more people that hear country can see what we feel about life and the things we believe are important. Maybe this can be an influence to more and more people. I think people sometimes forget how much they are a product of what they surround themselves with. If you are always watching violent movies and listening to violent music, you would tend to live a violent lifestyle because that is your experience on a daily basis. Moreover, if you listen to love ballads and fun country dance music, it seems to me that you would live a more emotionally stable and fun life. Others might disagree and that's their right but that's how I feel.

Q.: What are your future plans?

A.: I am currently performing over 200 shows a year and am looking to performing in Europe within the next year or two if we can figure out all the particulars.

Q.: Who was your model role in C&W music?

A.: There are many! Chet Atkins was the first concert I ever saw, what a player!! I used to listen to a lot of Buck Owens, Roy Clark and Jerry Lee Lewis. The ones who I would consider role models would have to be Merle Haggard, George Jones and Ricky Scaggs.

Q.: Do you have a homepage?

A.: Yes I do. You can find me at www.dwguitar.com please stop in and check it out.

Q.: What do you think about internet presence of C&W music?

A.: Wonderful!!! I have found songs that have been out of print for many years. I can listen to artists from all over the world!! I think that there are many changes in store for the music industry, some good, some not so good but in general, because more people have access to and can hear music from new people, I think it is a very good thing.

Q.: Why do you prefer making C&W over other music-styles?

A.: I like the harmonies and the rhythms of country over most of the other styles. I do however, listen to other styles like swing, bluegrass and jazz at times. I used to tour in the US and Canada playing bluegrass and at the festivals some folks would play western swing and I really like playing it as well.

Q.: Will you make a tour through Europe in the year 2003?

A.: I would love to!! I will have to look into it. It sounds like it would be fun!

Q.: What do you think about mixing C&W music with pop?

A.: I don't mind having fun with music and mixing in other styles occasionally. Western swing was a blend of Jazz, Country and Bluegrass and I think that, as a style, it is good. As long as the original style is not taken over and lost I think it's O.K. try new things in music. I want to be able listen to traditional country with out the pop influence so I'm glad there are still real country musicians making real country music! May it last forever!!

Q.: Which arguments would you use in order to convince someone that C&W music is the best music there is?

A.: It used to be said that all country songs are about drinking, cheating, jail, trains, and just crying in your beer but Country music has grown and matured just as people do and the writers today are producing songs that deal with todays issues. Anyone who won't listen to a country song I feel is rather narrow minded. The thing about country is that it grows on you and you'll find that you like it more and more. I think people who won't listen to country just don't know any better.

Q.: There is a difference between C&W music made in USA and Canada. Can you explain it. What is the biggest difference between the "old" and the "new" world of C&W music?

A.: Most (but not all) of the music in the US is controlled by large companies and has a pop feel to it so I don't listen to the radio very much. The music that I've heard from Canada seems to be more traditional and I like it but the radio stations in the US have their playlists, which they are limited to so we don't hear much other music. Some of the Public Stations play music from around the world and I like what I hear. As for the old and new worlds of country: I think that if you can make up a song using traditional instruments and use your creativity you can come up with a "new sound". The idea that that every country song sounds like every other country songs is just not correct. Country songs are made of each players influences and the combination is what makes the sound new. I think that many of todays "Pop-Country" songs are over produced and use technical effects rather than musical creativity to make them different.

Q.: What has been your greatest success in C&W music so far?

A.: I was honored to be able to play guitar in Hank Thompsons band for a tour he did a few years back. I also opened for Ricky Scaggs and Jim & Jesse (while touring in Canada). These have been highlights in my life. By far the best thing that has happened to me was finding people like you and the people in Europe who like my music!! Thank you very much!