Tim was born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and grew up in Cadott, a small town in northwest Wisconsin. From an early age, his quick wit and innocent charm were already at work, even convincing his mother that deer in the Florida Everglades had webbed feet. It was an early glimpse of the storyteller he would become.

He learned to cook under the watchful eye of his mother, and by the age of ten was preparing dinner for his entire family. In his early twenties, Tim moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where he enrolled in a chef’s course at the local community college. Although he chose not to pursue cooking professionally, his passion for food never faded.

In 2010, Tim relocated to Crossville, Tennessee, and joined the Cumberland Mountain Storytelling Guild, later serving as its president. He has shared stories on stages across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida, proudly embracing his self-proclaimed title as the “Purveyor of Questionable Wisdom.”

A self-taught musician who does not read music, Tim plays chromatic and diatonic harmonica, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, button accordion, concertina, and ukulele. Music is woven into many of his performances, where songs and instrumental pieces enrich the stories he tells. He has recorded several videos, including a special duet with his son featuring the ukulele.

Camping was a cherished part of his childhood, and in adulthood that love evolved into RV adventures. After purchasing a Winnebago motor home, he found inspiration in its compact kitchen. The challenge of cooking in a small space, combined with his lifelong culinary enthusiasm, led to the creation of the “One Burner Bistro.”

Today, Tim continues to write and perform stories drawn from his life experiences, blending humor, music, food, and a touch of questionable wisdom into every tale.