Acknowledgements to All...
In my thirty plus years of martial arts training I have had the good fortune to train with a number of high quality Martial Artist. Some people had extrordinary video instructional series, some excellent book resources, some through direct instruction in classes or seminar, and some through a variety of the aforementioned.
I want to acknowledge all of the people who were inspirational and instructional to me, and vicariously, my martial arts students and associates. I cannot express my gratitude enough, and hope that through this website resource the proper homage shall be paid to all of the important, talented, and world class martial artists who inspired me in my lifelong path of personal growth and martial enlightenment.
I want to acknowledge all of the people who were inspirational and instructional to me, and vicariously, my martial arts students and associates. I cannot express my gratitude enough, and hope that through this website resource the proper homage shall be paid to all of the important, talented, and world class martial artists who inspired me in my lifelong path of personal growth and martial enlightenment.
As a tribute to those shown below I have linked the pictures to their respective personal or organizational websites, Please visit these sites and check out the resources they have to offer. You will be glad you did.
Dan InosantoIn 1991 I had the pleasure and priveledge of working with Mr. Inosanto in St. Louis, Missori through a week long seminar. The experience was electrifying for me and I met a number of quality martial artisits at this event. One of which was Terry and his wife, Kathy Gibson who became a regional contact for further training in the future. I was introduced to Dan Inosanto by his book "Absorb What is Useful" which was recommended to me by Kym Huie. I studied a number of Mr. Inosanto's videos on Kali and Silat and his insights into the drill work and the applications of the kali stick work were instrumental in my growth.
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Paul VunakI was introduced to the five part series of JKD videos in the late eighties by my freind Kym Huie. I found the series available for rent at a martial arts/imports store front in St.Louis. This allowed me to view and review the series until I was able to achieve some level of mastery over the materials. It took some time for me because I was just stepping out of my Tae Kwon Do base into the diverse world of blending the arts. His series spanned from trapping and locking to kali stickwork to wing chun dummy drills, to bladed weapons. Mr. Vunak also later put out an attribute video which was very good as well. I highly recommend viewing these videos and checking out Paul Vunak resources if you never have. I was never able to personally train with Mr. Vunak unfortunately but I always wanted to train with him at least once.
It is thanks to Paul Vunak's video series that I was able to enter Dan Inosanto's seminar with a working kowledge of hubud lubud drills, siniwali drills, cumbrado drills, and largo mano drills. Because of this I was able to train with more seasoned artists when paired off at the seminar which made my learning experience far richer. Click on Paul's picture to link to his website where many of his video resources can be purchased. I would highly recommend the aforementioned video resources. |
Larry HartsellI attended seminars with Larry Hartsell in 1992 and 1993. The Hartsell approach to JKD concepts was unique in that it revolved primarily around grappling and locking. I was first introduced to Larry Hartsell By Kym Huie through a video tape one of his friends had shown us. We spent time working on his lock flows and basic entry skills. The three and twelve point lock flows I use as drills in my system are Larry Hatrsell inspired and derived. I was so enthralled with the lock flow concept, I had seen various locks performed in small bursts in demonstration and drill work, but Larry opened my eyes to the ongoing nuance of the flow. That inspried me so much I had to train with him on multiple occasions. Each time was fresh and exciting. Although there was overlap, he was able to keep it interesting and leave a person feeling like your time with him was money well spent. I also highly recommend his books: "Entering to Trapping to Grappling 1 and 2"
I took a number of my students with me to his seminars which was great for remebering the firehose of techniques and insights you get in a long day or weekend seminar training. I was truly impressed with his mat work. |
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Terry GibsonI was lucky enough to train with Terry Gibson on six different seminar occasions from 1991 to 1994. Terry's training partner at seminar was his wife Kathy Gibson. She was a slight blonde woman..but wow she was powerful and devastating. Together they were a great instructional team. I learned so much from Terry through seminar, conversation, and some of his video tapes. Terry was struggling with brain cancer in the last few years I knew him. He was in treatment during some of his seminar appearances but he was full force and strong. One would have not known of his battle to watch him perform. I really valued my time with Terry as he helped me understand Inosanto's teachings and the essence of Silat at a level I would have never attained alone.
Terry beat his cancer on two occasions, but a third episode was just too much for one warrior. Terry eventually succumbed to cancer, but he was able to spend his last years doing what he loved, with the person he loved the most. In that way Terry was a lucky man. I miss Terry, he was a high caliber martial artist, and in my opinion: "If you could not train with Dan...Terry was the man to see" |
Kym HuieWell, as you have probably noticed by reading the above acknowledgements, this man's name appeared a lot already. Kym Huie was introduced to me by a martial arts peer, Alan Greer. When I met Kym I was a Tae Kwon Do traditionalist with a pretty good tournament record. I fet like I could spar and hold my own with most anybody...until Kym! I soon realized that he could take my life at any time, and from that day on I had to train with Kym Huie. We trained hard for a number of years before life took us in different directions. Although we did keep in touch with one another, I did not really see Kym again for years. The next time we met I thought after all these years of delving into what he taught me and more, I would do well when we sparred...I found myself mistaken! Although I had grown immensely, I expected he would have maintained the same level of skill as when last we met, as many of the martial artist I trained with locally...but Kym's dedication sets him apart from other mainstream martial artists. His growth curve paralleled mine, leaving me as far deficit to his skill set as when last we met years ago.
I learned an enormous amount from this man. I believe him to be the best regional martial artist in the mid west USA. I know he is the best locally. But, the most important thing I learned from Kym is how to understand underlying principles and using these insights to self instruct...also that learning and improvement never stops. To this day I hold him in high esteem and see him as a martial arts role model. |
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 Although we eventually parted ways...one of the most important thing I learned from my time with Gary was: I really needed no more outside approval or certification for what I was doing and teaching in St. Louis. Another benefit that was vicariously derived from my time training with his group in Oklahoma was meeting Robert Austin, who eventually appointed me Missouri Head of the IEKKA 1992-98, and later graciously allowed me to train in a private Kenpo instructors seminar with Paul Mills at his Greely Colorado Dojo in 1996.
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Gary DillI trained for a short while with Gary Dill. His claims of legitimacy in JKD sprang from his time training with James Lee (Bruce Lee's Brother). I traveled on various occasions to train with him in Oklahoma, and also hosted him at my home Dojo in Kirkwood (near St.Louis) Missouri. We had an instructional arrangement for a time at my Kirkwood facility. During my tenure with Gary Dill I studied his version of JKD concepts, and also went on to acquire a rank of black belt in Aiki Jutsu in 1992.
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Dennis BussellI wish there had been time for me to have studied with Sifu Dennis Bussell before his untimely death in 2009. Yet, I have been very fortunate that my senior student, Joshua Eaves, was also Dennis’ top protégé and heir apparent to his family system. Dennis was a charismatic teacher whose lessons were as insightful as they were dynamic. As a result of the knowledge which I gleaned, through the tutelage of Josh, from Dennis’ teaching, I feel there is a deepness and subtlety to my martial arts that would not have been there without the awareness I have gained about the so-called soft arts.
I have since embraced the soft style arts as a part of my system proper. Sifu Eaves now runs the soft style aspect and continues to enlighten me to the myriad of martial and physical benfits Tai Ji training has to offer. As I enter my 50th year on this earth, I see the days approaching where this art may be my main, if not only, line of self defense. |
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Honorable Mentions:
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The individuals listed below affected my perspectives as a martial artist in various ways. I feel they are worth seeking out and I have linked each picture to the individual's, or their systems, web page as possible through my limited web search.
Many of these individuals have video and book resources which could help an aspiring martial artist to gain both
in skill and insight. I recommend you visit their sites, and seek out their resources and training.
Many of these individuals have video and book resources which could help an aspiring martial artist to gain both
in skill and insight. I recommend you visit their sites, and seek out their resources and training.
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Disclaimer: By posting this acknowledgment page I am in no way directly or indirectly claiming connection to any of the people herein represented either politically or organizationally. I am claiming no official connections other than what has been recorded in my martial arts resume available for your reading on my Instructor Profile sheet. Please do not consider me an instructor or affiliate of any organization other than Eclectic Martial Arts System (EMAS) and Taylor School of Martial Arts (TSMA). Unfortunately there are many out there who would misrepresent themselves and thier accomplishments...out of respect for the people on this page I thought it necessary to include this disclaimer.
