Raised in Osage City, Kansas (small town USA), began playing trumpet in 3rd Grade but always dreamed of becoming a "Rock Star". So, at age 10, bought an old Ludwig drum set and began awkwardly thrashing away and hollering with his own band and others throughout High School and College.

 

Went on to study music at the University of Kansas under Dr. George Boberg and performed with the KU Symphony Orchestra and the KU Marching Band.

 

Moved to Austin, Texas in the mid 70's and played in dance halls, night clubs and dives. Learning from the "Greats", by performing with country artists: Willie Nelson, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Gimbal and Kinky Friedman & the Texas Jewboys.  During this time he also toured with the Geezinslaw Brothothers and recorded at Willie's Pedernales Studio, Riverside Studios and Ruff Cedar Studio for Lone Star Beer and Hormel Companies.

 

Then as the Austin Blues scene became prominent, he performed with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Koko Taylor,  Albert Collins and W.C. Clark Rhythm & Blues Review. Reno has appeared on Austin City Limits with both the Geezenslaw Brothers and W.C. Clark.

 

More recently, he has recorded five television shows at NBC Studios on Pennsylvania Avenue in New York City for AT&T, completed six World Tours with Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, performed with the Smokin' Torpedoes, "Beautiful" Bobby Blackmon, Bird Dog Bobby Band, Big Rick & the Troublemakers, Joe "Survival" Caruso, Stoney & the Houserockers and many others.

 

He is currently accepting fill-in gigs, studio work, tours and is Chairman of the Orange Blossom Blues Society's "Blues in the Schools" program. Reno is a S.E.S.A.C. Affiliate writer and publisher who owns and operates Lakehouse Records LLC and Lakehouse Publishing LLC.