Well, just thought that I would take the time to formally introduce myself since I have already posted in a few of the treads. 

My name is Ryan, I live in Southwest Missouri. My love for the fiddle and bluegrass/country music started when I was about 8 due to my step-father. He was a wonderful guitar player. I remember him setting at the kitchen table playing songs, singing, and telling stories. Although my love for the music started then, I never really acted upon that (one of my great regrets as I was never able to play with my step-father due to a stroke). 

I started playing the fiddle a few years ago when my brother picked up the banjo and my step-father gave me his old fiddle. I took a few lessons and then ended up moving. Since moving, I have been self-taught and kind of been off and on. My step-father passed not quite a year ago and that really kind of rekindled my passion. My goal is really to be able to sit in with others and feel comfortable playing. Maybe even play at one of the fiddle camps/competitions that are held twice a year at a local lake. Don't so much care about the competition part, I just enjoy playing music with a group of friends. 

My biggest challenge is finding the time to practice. I am an RN manager which requires a great deal of time and then I also am a father of 4 (1 boy and 3 girls) ranging in age from 13 to 11 months. However, I am fortunate in that my family is fairly tolerable of my "noise". My son is really starting to get interested as well and he was given a mandolin by my step-father a couple of years ago. 

I truly look forward to being apart of the fiddlerman family