Gene was born and raised in Colusa. He was heavily influenced by his father, Dan, who sang and played the guitar. Also his mother Joyce who sang since Gene could remember. At the age of 9 he picked up his father's guitar while staying home sick from school one day. He taught himself to play. Gene and his best friend Chuck Comfort started playing together in Chuck's garage and formed their first band "Rampage". This band didn't go far but was a building block for many different bands to come. In the US Air Force Gene played Bass guitar in a rock band named "Outta Control". Gene has followed his musical ambition throughout the years playing for weddings, private parties, on bar stools and next to many camp fires.
Around January of 2005, Gene got the music bug again and decided to try to put together another band. With limited number of musicians in the Colusa area, he knew he had his work cut out for him. With a little hard work and determination, Highway 20 was born.
When he can find the time, Gene likes to Abalone dive, fish, fly R/C airplanes and is a die hard Oakland Raider fan. His musical influences include Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Travis Tritt, Clint Black, The Eagles, Alan Jackson, James Taylor, KISS and many more.