Born: May 30, 1957 in St. Paul Minnesota

Family: Wife Alecia, Father Jim Fair, mother Patricia Fair , one sister, Cindy, one brother, James, one daughter, Lindsay

Education: Middle Tennessee State University

Favorite food: Fresh fruit

Favorite book: Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance

Favorite movies: Sports, Bull Durham, Comedy, Undercover Brother, Drama, Crash(2005)

Favorite drink: Crown Royal over ice

Favorite tool: Sears torque wrench

Favorite TV shows: House and Seinfeld

Pets: A maltese cocker spaniel, Lucy ( see Music “Love Me Like That”)

Favorite Cities: Bozeman, Montana and Greenville, South Carolina

Who influenced you? Herb Alpert, Chuck Mangione, Chet Baker

What type of flugelhorns do you play? Yamaha YFH-631 and a Yamaha YFH-631oz

What type of mouthpiece do you use? Schilke 14F4

What type of trumpet do you play? Bach 43 bell large bore reverse lead pipe

What type of mouthpiece do you use? Schilke 14A4A

What is that little trumpet? ( a frequently asked question at gigs) A pocket trumpet!

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Q: When did you discover your love for the trumpet?

A: When I was twelve years old listening to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.  The song was "The Lonely Bull".  I loved the sound of the instrument and knew I wanted to emulate Herb Alpert's playing.

Q: Why do you prefer to write and record smooth jazz?

A: To me the groove and the tone are as important to make a musical statement as are the changes. Smooth jazz to me leans heavily upon the groove and the sound and that's what moves me.

Q: What is the story on your co-writer Brandon Barnes?

A: Brandon is a multi Grammy nominated writer I met in Nashville twelve years ago right after the release of Brian McKnight’s first CD, which Brandon had co-written a number of tunes on. Brandon heard me play, loved the sound of my flugelhorn and approached me about doing a smooth jazz record. The rest is history.

Q: What CD are you listening to right now?

A: Brian Culbertson’s “Come on up”

Q: Who are some of the artists you have shared the stage with?

A: Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Larry Carlton, Oliva Newton John, Claude McKnight, Jim Horn, Amy Grant, Beth Nielsen-Chapman, Kirk Whalum, Sam Cooke, Victor Wooten, John Hiatt, Donna Summer, Greg Allman, Gary Puckett, Carman, and Leon Russell

Q: What are your interests other than music?

A: Motorcycles (I own a BMW, Aprilia and Ducati) travel, home improvement, and camping.