Grit: Memoirs of a Musician pt. 1

Part 1: My Beginnings

Let me preface these statements by saying this: I am not a star. I'm a weekend warrior who loves to play and be on stage. It's the single greatest feeling in world and no drug known to man can compare.

That being said, I feel I have had some great experiences in the years I have played music. I feel it's something other musicians can enjoy reading and can relate to. It's in that spirit that I write these words.

I've played bass for over a decade, but music has been in my blood since birth. Growing up in rural Alabama, I was around bluegrass, gospel, and country music my whole life. Many of my family members play. My uncle was a member of a bluegrass group nominated for multiple Dove Awards. It was because of my uncle that I started playing to begin with.

But I really owe all the credit to my best friend in high school, Kyle. He was the one who opened my eyes to rock music and to the possibility of playing bass. He was the one who gave me the kick in the butt I needed to buy my first bass, a cheap 80's-style Charvel with Duncan P-J pickups and a black sparkle finish. Within a year (2002).we played our first show.

It was at our high school talent show. We only had one song we could do ("Ain't Talkin' Bout Love by Van Halen) but we made the best of it. We dressed the part, Spandex and all, cranked our amps to 11 and rocked it. The acoustics in that gym were awful, the singer was terrible and had no sense of rhythm, but we couldn't care less. It was messy, sloppy... but 100% rock and roll.

And from that moment on, I was in love with live performance. We went on to perform together for a few years after high school before splitting and going our seperate ways. I still talk to Kyle, but we don't work together anymore. However, that first show is still one of my most cherished memories.