It seems like I had always played in bands. I played in them through some of grade school, all of high school, college, and beyond. I had always played guitar but added keyboards as we entered the 80's and synthesizer bands were all the rage. I had always been the lead vocalist or one of the lead vocalists.
A few years after college, I moved out of state. I played with a couple bands from time to time but never really found anything that I really liked. And, sadly, I let playing music slip away for a while.
Several years ago I was approached to be part of a band made up of employees to provide entertainment at an employee function. I quickly agreed and dusted off the guitar and keyboards and started practicing. We played a 90-minute set after dinner in a ballroom filled with fellow employees. We had a blast. By the end of the set we had most of the room dancing at the end we got requests for an encore. That performance convinced me that I needed to play again.
I got together to jam with the employees from the performance and a couple other bands. Again, I didn't really find anything that intrigued me.
Then one night I went to a piano bar. Now I had been to many piano bars over the years and always enjoyed them. But this one was different. From time to time the performer would grab a guitar and play a song on guitar instead of piano. Now, I had never considered being a solo act. But that night, watching the performer play both piano and guitar, I decided to pursue a solo career.
First I had to get some new equipment. My synthesizers wouldn't cut it--I needed an 88-key weighted piano. Also, I hadn't owned an acoustic guitar since I was a kid. Time to do some shopping.
I spent the next couple years practicing and building my songlist. I played for family, friends, and neighbors. I even played a few private parties.
Here we go.