Why We're Here
Growing up, all I wanted to do was play music. I wanted to be on stage playing music that people really connected to. I didn't have opportunity, I was broke, and was told every day that when compared to the millions of people who want the same thing, I'm not good enough. So, I decided to join the military. I continued writing and playing music for myself during my service, but couldn't shake the mindset that had been instilled in me for so long.
I soon moved to Italy with my family and discovered the power of "it's who you know." A friend of mine from my first duty station had me meet a group of people who'd look out for us and become a family - a group called "Everybody Hates Dan".
My wife and I were at a friend's house - a friend in that group - and Dan was asleep on the couch. I asked the friend if he'd be upset if I played his guitarlele. After playing one of my favorite songs, Dan woke and started the journey of my self-discovery.
He stood up said:
"You've got something. Who are you?"
He was the lead singer of a massive country band, "The Dusty Saddle Boys". From that night, Dan believed in me, even when I didn't. We started two bands - a duet with the two of us, Up Close and Naked, and another duet with his kid, "Stolen Chords". We traveled all over the place busking.
Our rig was completely wireless and compact. We'd pack all of our gear into one of those bike carriages for kids, hook it to electric scooters and scoot from spot to spot playing music and drawing crowds.
The time I spent in Italy changed the entire self-perspective of my music and is why I will never tell anyone or let anyone else tell someone they're not good enough.
You can and will be great. I want to be your first step - even if I'm the first one to believe in you.