So I just wrote this long winded introduction expressing my love of the world, of music, and of Pierre and fiddlerman.com. Then it asked me what 12+8 is and apparently the answer is no longer 20, so I got booted and lost the whole thing. But heres the short version.

My name is Steve Crow and I'm from south jersey. I played briefly in junior high but dropped the violin after I started hanging with the wrong crowd. Guess I thought I was too cool, but I have regretted it ever since. I later learned to fully appreciate music through learning the guitar, bass, drums, etc. I played in numerous hardcore/tech/death metal bands until I met my wife and we bought a house and had 3 kids now 6, 3, and 2. Needless to say music no longer holds the foreground of my life but is still as much a part of my heart and mind as ever.

Anyway my wife found me a beautiful violin for my 30th birthday and I quickly learned that after a 16 year absence, this instrument is REALLY difficult to pick up. I got pretty discouraged thinking I might not be able to pull this off, and then I found this web site. Ever since I've been pumped about the progress I've been making, and at work all day I think about my instrument sitting at home in its case. I just want to thank you guys for feeding my fire and Pierre for putting this together. It's been a super helpful boost to a process that at first seemed impossible.

One other thing I have to mention. The day I got my fiddle I happened to run into my old violin teacher at a dunkin donuts. Hadn't seen her in 16 years. Also that day Charlie Daniels' keyboard player died in a car accident. Two omens I couldn't ignore. So thanks again and yes that was the short version.