Although he is usually seen playing an acoustic guitar he is first and foremost an electric lead guitar player (blues and rock) and included a jazzy blues guitar improvisation instrumental (Track 11 'Springtime Blues' on his 1st CD - On A Saturday) because he gave into temptation and decided to 'show off' his talent - as you well know, there's no point in having hidden talent unless you can show it off !! As Lou says of himself "I've never lost it". But most people never even knew he had ever found it !!

In truth Track 11, 'Springtime Blues', was only included as a result of problems Lou had with his voice and thus couldn't record the vocals for some tracks. It was only then that Lou decided that he should, and must, include a lead electric guitar solo track.

In fact, his 'show off' guitar playing (very fast acoustic guitar fingering) isn't included on this, his first, CD 'On A Saturday'. Hopefully there will be a suitable track for inclusion on his second CD - if it comes to pass (if he sells enough of his first CD !!).

Next >>>

  He started songwriting and composing at 15 when he was still in school (he can still remember writing songwords at the back of the class - 'no better place to concentrate !!'). Over the years he gradually amassed a collection of original songs of every type, flavour, and genre but, apart from the words, they only existed in his head and nowhere else.

In the 1970s and 1980s he was in a few 'no-name' 'no-go' bands but usually ended up playing either the rhythm guitar or the bass guitar. In only one of those bands did he play any of his own compositions (Dancing Gang and The Hooley). It was only when he moved to Achill that he began to play some gigs as a 'one-man-band' using the acoustic guitar and had some very enjoyable and successful gigs. The gigging was greatly curtailed by the problems with his throat.

For awhile he tried recording some of the songs using a 4 track cassette recorder but found it practically impossible - the final results, although musically good, were muddy and indistinct. And, even worse still, he was limited to very few instruments.

Next >>>

  Then, in 2002, he discovered recording software which could be used on his computer (his 3rd love) which gave him the freedom to be as creative as he wanted to be, while sitting at home in front of his turf fire. Now, Lou says, he has no excuse for not recording every song he ever wrote except his lethargy (bone lazy), his day jobs (part time teaching computer applications, and part time working in an office in a fish farm).

It turns out that Lou has had problems with his thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) which caused the health problems over the past decade or so - especially the vocal and throat problems. He now takes a tablet a day and his voice is improving a lot.

Next >>>

  In order of importance Lou is firstly a philosopher (and part-time hermit), then a musician (singer & songwriter) and finally a computer nerd (of sorts). He has many things to do but hopefully he will have time to continue writing and recording music.

Please remember, his CD is an independent production with very little advertising or promotion - so if you like the music TELL OTHERS and SPREAD THE WORD - don't keep it a secret.

Bye !