Phil’s first exposure to the “Longrifle Culture” was 2009 when he attended the CLA in Lexington, KY at the invitation of the Mills family of Owensboro, KY.  They helped start the CLA.  He was hooked immediately and having become a user and collector of items made by the artists of the CLA ever since.

Since 2009 was the year that the “House Brothers Handmade Longrifle” was raffled off, He heard an awful lot about Hershel, Frank, and John at that show.  Phil quickly came to appreciate the reputation and respect rightly paid to each of them.  It wasn’t until the 2018 CLA that Phil met Hershel in person when he stopped by his table at the CLA, and they were introduced.  In 2019, he had the opportunity to buy one of Hershel’s rifles from Hal Rogers’ widow.  The gun had not been used for some time and needed some minor repairs.  He took the gun to Hershel, and he had it in working condition in short order.  While he was working on it, Phil learned that he had some health issues.  As a physician, he offered to help him with them.  This doctor-patient relationship grew into a deeper friendship than he otherwise would have had with him.  As such, Phil considers it an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of his Foundation which is dedicated to the perpetuation of his legacy and the preservation of his home, workshops, and properties.