Ever since hearing his first marching band while attending a parade with his parents as a very young child, music has always excited Bernie. By age 6 he was picking out songs by ear on the piano. In school he sang in the Choir and played coronet and trumpet in Band for 8 years. He also had 5-1/2 years of lessons on the piano. His mother sang alto and played a pretty good harmonica and his father played the piano and organ. But Bernie's musical leaning toward stringed instruments probably came from his Swedish grandmother who played the guitar and auto harp with the Salvation Army String Band for nearly three decades.

                During High School, Bernie was chosen from a select group in the Choir to receive advanced vocal training from a vocal instructor from Augustana College. That year he also became a member of the Handel Oratorio Society, performing with the Augustana College Choir and Orchestra. He also received two years of instruction on the guitar. But in '75 it became clear to Bernie that his passion was in moving the earth an octave lower or more. A self-taught bassist, he has spent nearly three decades listening to various styles of music, from rock to metal, from pop to jazz, from country to classical...learning what to play and what not to play...but always listening.

                Shortly after picking up the bass, Bernie held down the bottom line with guitarist Tim Huffman who went on to become a member of Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart. Bernie was one of the founding members of the Christian pop metal band DOXA and later played with MasterPeace out of Galesburg, IL. He organized and played in the band for three crusades for international evangelist Louis Palau (including Palmer Auditorium in Davenport, IA and at The Peoria Civic Center Arena.) He has also played in the band along with drummer Shawn Maddox at meetings for Nora Lamm (China Cry), Ben Kinchlow of the 700 Club, and author & speaker Josh McDowell. Bernie has also played in bands with other well-known Quad City musicians such as Fred Ricaurte' and Dave & Carrie Meumann. In '95 he became joined the popular duo of Kevin and Cathy Hamilton as a member of "Sibling Reverie", appearing regularly at a number of area clubs, including the cherished haven of great acoustic music and good food..."Tortilla Flats" (a venue sorely missed by many). He has also sang and played bass on a number of locally produced albums.

                Bass is part of the family of instruments considered to be in the foundational "rhythm section" of any band. Hence it was a natural extension for Bernie to also branch out as a percussionist, playing congas, djembe, shakers, chimes, and almost anything he can get his hands on (including the kitchen sink!) He has performed with trumpeter/vocalist Phil Driscoll and with a number of area musicians at The Mark of The Quad Cities and at John Deere Commons. He has also added percussion to an album by Des Moines sax man Randy Ross, and also is part of the musicians’ roster at Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island, IL playing bass or percussion and adding vocal harmonies.

                In the summer of 2001, Bernie's musical Odyssey expanded into the realm of New Country when he became a member of the Dani Lynn Howe Band. His very first appearance with the band - opening for LONESTAR at The Great Mississippi Valley Fair.  Over the next several years Bernie (with Steve joining in ’02 and Curtis in ’06) had the privilege of playing regularly at many area clubs and also playing for audiences as big as 30,000 opening for such noteable acts as Kenny Chesney, Gary Allen, Suzy Bogguss, Keith Urban, Teri Clark, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, a repeat opener for Lonestar.  as well as Clint Black at The Mark of The Quad Cities.

                   “Music is so much a part of who I am.  I am so grateful for this gift that God has given me.  It is like breathing in the fresh air after a spring rain when I play.  But if I haven’t played in awhile it’s like holding your breath.  You reach a point where you’ve got to let it out or you feel you will explode or suffocate!  It is the purest form of language.  All I can speak is English, but through music I can communicate without the limitations of words, the feelings of the heart that beats inside men and women of every tongue, race and nation.  And I can feel and understand their hearts through the beauty and purity of the different ethnic music God has given them.  By listening to their music I grow in who I am.  I understand more.  I become a better, wiser person.”

                   “…Now it’s time for something both new and old.  We are excited about this new project.  There are so many great songs out there that so many of us grew up with.  Rock and Roll never died.  These songs are as wonderful and alive today as the day they were first recorded.  I know you’re going to love them, whether you are in your twenties and hearing some of them for the first time or grew up hearing them on the radio.  A Timespan of the hits of yesterday and today.  It’s a lot of fun.  So spread the word about us, and come on out and enjoy the party!”