Music has always been my first love. As a star struck kid back In South Dakota. I sat through every movie with Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Conner and their beautiful partners. They inspired me as they lit up the screen with their amazing talents. I also spent endless hours listening to the incomparable Tony Bennett. His warmth and style always impressed me.
   One fall day, while talking with my good friend and singer, Lori Donato, she said, "It's time for you to get your own CD out there." I agreed! She put me in touch with a fine pianist and music director Gil Leib, and we soon began the arduous but rewarding process of cutting a few musical gems from the wonderful songs available.
   Gil brought in the multi-talented Bill Severance as his co-producer and things began to take shape. We chose an eclectic assortment of standards, show tunes and contemporary songs by some of our greatest composers and lyricists. Cole Porter's classic "All Of You" is done "a la Basie"; the Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse buoyant "A Wonderful Day Like Today" is given a Latin treatment; and the lovely Rodgers and Hart tune "Wait Till You See Hear" becomes a lyrical jazz waltz. Also represented are some lesser- known wonders by Cy Coleman, Tommy Wolf, and the legendary team of Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, and the late Adolph Green.
   This collection also contains a fun new samba "Suddenly It's Summer" with words and music by Paul Horner. Paul collaborated with the brilliant Miss Peggy Lee on several other projects. I'm the first one to record this song, and I'm honored.
   And what would my CD be without songs that I co-wrote lyrics for. Bill Severance transformed "What Became of Yesterday" into an exciting and quirky tango. Gil Leib did a lovely bossa nova arrangement for "It's All In The Stars ".
   Knowing that I love to dance, Gil came up with a unique idea of an extended medley that uses dance as it's connective thread.
   I feel we have chosen music and lyrics of taste and quality. This is my first CD and this collaboration has been a wonderful experience and I truly feel... "Lucky To Be Me".