Roger has been playing trumpet since the sixth grade. Early in high school played first-chair trumpet in the marching band, concert, and jazz band, jazz band being his favorite. While studying business at East Carolina University, throughout his college years he played with the Marching Pirates, the jazz band, pep band, and other musical ensembles – pretty amazing for someone who was not a music major.
After college, other than playing for a few weddings, he set his trumpet aside until two good things happened. According to Roger, “In 2011 ECU started having alumni band reunions and a new music director came to my church. I was inspired by both, got my chops back, and have played in small to large groups since then, including some solo work.” “Playing in the Moonlight Swing Band is ‘coming full circle’ for me, getting back to my roots of being in a fine jazz band. I’m fortunate to be able to play with MSB. It’s a fun group and good musicians and even nicer people.”
Roger and his wife have been married for nearly thirty years and have three grown daughters, Amanda, Lauren, and Erin.