His journey in music has continued for 54 years. He is a performer of ballads and country music, and one of the pioneers of these genres in Lithuania. He has written 348 ballads and 82 lyrics for music composed by other authors, and has released 22 music albums. His songs have been performed at more than 150 festivals across Europe and North America, and he has toured extensively in the USA and Canada.

He has also created radio and television programmes and worked as a journalist. In Šiauliai, he founded the Sung Poetry Studio and is considered the godfather of the country music ensemble “Jonis.” His contributions have been recognised with the Knight’s Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania.

This year, as Šiauliai celebrates its 790th anniversary, his newest book, “Ballads Under the Hat”, will be published.

“Wherever I go, I always carry the name of Šiauliai with me,” says the producer, musician, songwriter, and lyricist.

Photo by R. Stakėnienė.