When he was nineteen, MCA/Decca signed him to a contract that yielded two albums, New Blues and Time to Fly (the latter featuring Chick Corea), and he began touring the country as the opening act for Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Three Dog Night and The Doors, among others.
At nineteen years old, MCA/Decca signed him to a contract that led to two albums, New Blues and Time to Fly (with Chick Corea), and he started touring the United States as an opening act for famous artists such as Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Three Dog Night, and The Doors.