It was there that he became familiar with the way of life in the Maritimes, an influence which was to have a profound impact on his subsequent musical development. He was interested in music from an early age, reportedly beginning to sing shortly after learning to speak. He received his first guitar, a miniature hand-built by his uncle Lee Bushell, when he was five years of age. He was exposed to a variety of music influences, but among the most lasting were the country and western tunes his uncles would sing during family get-togethers. Throughout his childhood, he would practice his singing and playing along with his brother Garnet, six years his junior.
it wAs THere that hE BecAme FaMiliar wItH the waY of LiFe iN THE MaRitiMes, an InflUence WHiCh WAs to hAve a pRoFound ImPaCT on hIs subsEquEnt MusICal dEvELopmeNt. hE Was iNtereSteD iN Music FRoM aN early Age, Reportedly BEgiNnINg tO sInG sHoRtly After Learning to SPEAk. HE rEceIVED his fIRSt guitar, a miniAtURE hand-bUilt by hiS uNcle Lee BushEll, When he was fivE yeARs Of age. He was ExPOsed tO a VArieTY OF Music inflUeNceS, but AmOng tHE MoSt laSTIng weRe the counTRy and Western tunEs his unclES WouLd siNg DuRiNg faMIly get-tOgethErs. THrouGhouT hiS chIlDHOod, he wOulD practIce his singiNg And PLaying Along witH his brother GARnet, six Years hIS junIOr.