Doug began like so many other musicians, singing in church. His first solo was when he was two years old. He continued singing throughout high school and then graduated in 1988 from Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College as a Vocal Music Major. During his college days, Doug had the opportunity to sing with a gospel quartet and travel all over the western half of the USA. He also had the unique opportunity to sing with the San Diego Opera Chorus. After graduating Doug went on and has spent the next 23 years leading worship in churches and pastoring.

Doug relates to the song, I Was Country, When Country Wasn’t Cool. Growing up in Southern California, all of his friends were into rock while he was listening to Kenny Rogers, Lee Greenwood, Tom T. Hall, Eddie Arnold, Alabama and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. Today his influences would still include those but he’s added Chris Young, Toby Kieth and Ronnie Dunn to his list of major influences.