Welcome to my low-tech web page.  The site is primarily to help friends, family and colleagues keep up with goings on in my orbit.

• Computer Science and Engineering
  
  
• Information Sciences and Technology
  
  
• Music
  
  

Computer Science and Engineering (CSE):

I have taken a step or two away from the control theory and guitar worlds to study computer science, especially computer architecture and online algorithms. The problems are very interesting and challenging. As usual, ideas from signal processing and feedback control theory find applicability here, but there are a lot of interesting new ideas here also.

My research is with Dr. Ali Hurson, in task scheduling and dynamic/adaptive load balancing.

Information Sciences and Technology (IST):

Although my academic work is in computer science, I work at the new School of Information Science and Systems (IST). Currently, I am teaching discrete math, IST 230 , programming languages, IST 240, and object-oriented design, IST 311.

Music:

Pedal Steel Guitar

Of late, my main musical interest is the pedal steel guitar. I've played regular 6-string electric and acoustic guitars since the late 1960s. I started on the banjo in the mid-90s, but in the last two years, pedal steel has taken most of my musical time, which is fairly limited. For those who aren't familiar with the instrument, it's a table steel guitar, which is noted with a heavy metal bar across the strings. In a given position, notes are changed by activating foot pedals and knee levers, which gives it's characteristic 'glassy' sound. Pedal steel has been closely associated with country music since the 50s, but a number of players have moved in other areas, especially jazz. If you're interested in steel guitar (which includes pedal steel, non-pedal steel, and dobro), you should check out the Steel Guitar Forum, where many of the world's finest steel guitar players (and many others, perhaps slightly less distinguished) post a jaw-dropping amount of useful information about the instrument and how to play it.

Bands - Present thru to the Past:

Rustlanders

This is a unit I helped start in Jan 05 - there is a website at http://rustlanders.com . This is mostly original material, strongly in the roots/Americana style but with pieces from the rootsy/Americana/alt-country 'canon' by people like Neil Young, Son Volt, Robert Earl Keen, Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams, Gram Parsons, and certain periods of the more countrified Grateful Dead. Personnel is Jason McIntyre on vocals and acoustic guitar, Jason Tutwiler on guitar, Dave Mudgett on pedal steel, guitar, and banjo, Corry Drake on bass and vocals, and Chris Ratti on vocals and drums. Of course, my main gig is teaching at Penn State, so I won't be going with them when they get their record contract and leave for greener pastures.

The RailLiners

For about a year, Erin Condo and I lead the RailLiners, a 5-piece original and cover Americana band. Personnel was Erin Condo on acoustic guitar/vocals, Dave Mudgett on pedal steel/guitar/banjo/lap steel/vocals, James Harton on B-3 organ and accordian, Jim Baughman on bass/vocals, and Sean Hershey on drums. We disbanded in December of 2003, and Erin left State College for Austin, TX in fall, 2004.

Stone Poets

The Stone Poets were my first foray into pedal steel, lasting from about 98 to 02 - I joined in late 98 with about two weeks of experience on the steel. You can still get CDs directly from Kris Kehr (here). Kris left to tour and record with The Recipe for two years. But he's back in Reading, PA now. We play occasionally at Zeno's in State College, and there's even talk about resurrecting the Stone Poets. Here are a few shots from the old Stone Poets.

• Live shot of the band at "Rock the Block" in August, 2000
• Nice B/W live shot at Cafe 210 from March 2001
• My Sierra pedal steel at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem.

Dave and Diane Klein

Occasionally, over the years, I've had the privilege to play jazz guitar with master jazz guitarist Dave Klein, his wife Diane on keyboard/bass, and a often a good drummer-du-jour. Originally from Pennsylvania, Dave and Diane were regulars in the S.F. Bay area jazz circuit for many years. From the mid-80s to 2004, they were based out of Lewistown PA, playing all over the central PA region - Harrisburg, State College, Hershey, etc. Somehow, Dave has managed to maintain a cult-like low profile, but his playing deserves much wider recognition, imo. In 2004, they moved to the greater Pittsburgh area, where the local/regional jazz scene is much more vibrant. If you're in Pittsburgh, like serious mainstream jazz guitar, and get a chance to hear Dave, jump on it.

Four Horsemen

Four Horsemen is the original Chrome Magnatones (see below) without lead singer Mike Swavely - that is, Dave Mudgett (guitar and vocals), Alex Lusht (guitar and vocals), Jimmy James B. Baughman (bass and vocals) and Sean Hershey (drums). Slash and burn psychobilly, guitar-based instrumental music, truck driving songs, and general mayhem. We played here and there for several years, finally disbanding during 2003.

Chrome Magnatones

I started the Chrome Magnatones in 1993 to play with regional rockabilly singer Mike Swavely. I did this for seven years, leaving in 2000. I covered my replacement guitarist Bill Wilgus for a few months at a crack while he recovered from health issues. All original members have now left, and Mike has rebuilt the band with new guitar, bass and drum players. They now continue to pump out real rockabilly here in the vast northeastern musical tundra. Check with Mike for a schedule.

Red Apple Juice

Strictly acoustic, old-time/traditional-country/bluegrass music, with Sue Kemper on lead vocals/guitar, Andy Tolins on dobro/mandolin/guitar/vocals, myself on guitar/mandolin, and Bill Stetz on upright bass/vocals. I played with them for about four years. Tragically, Sue died in April 05. In this area, there is nobody to replace her. IMO, she was the finest traditional country singer who has worked out of this area as home base since I've been here.

AAA Blues Band

After 11 years, I also left The AAA Blues Band in 2001. After winning the 1999 Musician Magazine/Billboard Magazine "Best Unsigned Band" Award, you can still catch them, still unsigned, holding the blues happy hour most Fridays at Zeno's in State College. The original lineup was Andy Tolins on vocals/guitar, Dave Mudgett on guitar, Pete (Jukester) Sheridan on harp, Ronnie Wasco on bass, Jack Wilkinson on drums. Kurt Krebs replaced Jack on drums in 1993. Mark Daubert subbed for me for a while in 2000-2001, on keys, and took over for me in 2001. John (JT) Thompson took over for Mark on keys 2-3 years ago.

Pre State College

There were various and sundry units that I played with, beginning in high school in about 1969. There is very little collective memory, what remains is a small handful of photos that I will post sometime. Truth be known, my intense focus on science and engineering left me little time to seriously work with other people. I played guitar seriously, but by the early 70s, most of my band playing was in pickup ensembles. 70s disco was the last straw, and I didn't perform onstage at all between 1974 and 1989.