Have you ever found yourself revisiting a particular dream more than once?
I can’t say that I have a particular dream that I keep going back to. However, I do have those dreams where I can’t speak or yell or fight back when I need to, and where my teeth fall out.
Oh, wait a second. Yes, I do recall a dream that I have had on more than one occasion! It is me back in high school and I never have my schedule for what classes I need to attend. The bell rings and everyone hustles to class, but I have no idea where I’m supposed to be or what I’m supposed to do.
I’m sure there’s a lot to unpack here, psychologically speaking. So please be easy on me!
In terms of dreams, as in my “hopes and dreams” I would love to progress my music career and expand my network of musicians and like-minded artists. Also, it’s always been my life-long goal to perform at Austin City Limits.
In your opinion, what is an essential life experience that every individual should undergo at least once?
I say this in the most positive way possible, but I believe an individual should experience failure at least once. I say this because when you fail, you challenge yourself and make efforts to progress in the long run. I’ve had many failures, setbacks, and disappointments in my career. However, when the victories come along, you can celebrate them even more because you know you earned them.
What’s currently playing in your ears?
I have recently gotten into “Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)” by Noah Kahan. I was recently introduced to his music and am really becoming a big fan of his songwriting. I highly recommend giving this album a listen.
What is one book that changed your life?
The book that particularly comes to mind is “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy. I read this book around June 2020, when everything was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic, so things in the world were new and strange. This book is about a journey of survival between a father and his young son during post-apocalyptic times. I feel I connected with this book because I read it at the right time and because I was able to connect with the father’s role because I have two sons, one of which was around the same age as the father in the story. This is one book I will never forget.
If we’re treating, what beverage would you choose?
I’ll drink nearly anything; however, if we are talking about adult beverages, I’m a beer guy at heart. Give me a nice west coast IPA any day of the week! Luckily, I live in an area in Norther CA that has a ton of great craft breweries.
Share with us a significant dinner memory that stands out for you.
I was fortunate enough to have dinner with one of my guitar heroes, Leo Kottke, about 10 years ago. What was amazing about it was that it was completely unplanned. I was helping a buddy of mine who was promoting the show and I introduced myself to Leo during soundcheck and we hit it off. Once his soundcheck had concluded, Kottke asked if I’d like to go grab dinner prior to the show. It was surreal to be having dinner with one of my guitar heroes!
Can you recount a challenging work experience that you consider to be the least enjoyable?
I would have to say that I was never a fan of selling tickets to my shows. Promoting a show is one thing, but hounding friends, family, and fans to buy tickets was/is probably my least enjoyable task working as a musician. I know it is part of the business and is necessary, but I would much rather focus my energy on putting together a memorable and tight show.
If you are referring to any sort of non-music related work, there was a time when I was about 11 years old selling ice cream at Dewey Beach in Delaware that was awful. I’m not talking about sitting behind a counter and scooping ice cream into cups either. I had to carry this extremely large and heavy cooler on my shoulder as I trudged my way around the blistering hot sand while ringing a bell and proclaiming “Ice cold Ice cream” to everyone lounging, enjoying the crashing waves in the background. Looking back, I believe I only made a few sales that day and I’m sure they were “pity sales” as I know I looked particularly pathetic trying to make my way around a crowded beach with a cooler that was clearly too heavy for me to be lugging around. I showed up to work the next day and the boss told me I was fired. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to hear that news. I was clearly too young for that job, but it wasn’t the right fit for me at the end of the day.
Reflect on the day that brought you the most joy in your life.
I have a few, the days my sons Liam and Mason were born were both amazing experiences. In fact, I had a show opening for Tyrone Wells the day after Mason was born and I kept the hospital band on my wrist for good luck.
My wedding day was pretty amazing. My wife, Davita, and I got married in the Lake Tahoe area and we had friends and family, young and old, travel from all over the country to watch us exchange vows. I just remembered being surrounded by such love and support.
If you had the chance to jet off anywhere right now, where would your destination be?
Hmmm, I would love to visit Norway and Ireland at some point as they are on my bucket list. However, I think because I’m a little hungry at the moment, I’d love to jet off to Austin, TX to get some Terry Black’s BBQ!! As a side note, I like to BBQ as a hobby with some like-minded buddies (who are also musicians) in my spare time. A few years ago we took a trip to Austin for a bachelor party and we were blown away by the brisket and beef ribs. Best BBQ I’ve ever had.
Who holds the title of your favorite fictional hero?
Oh, that’s a tough one! I think my number 1 fictional hero must be Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone). Growing up so close to Philadelphia, the Rocky/Underdog mentality is a real thing. Also, I proposed to my wife on top of the “Rocky Steps” in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was on full display when Rocky triumphantly runs to the top of the stairs while training to fight Apollo Creed.
Also, honorable mention to Eugene Martone (played by Ralph Macchio) for defeating the devil, Jack Butler (played by Steve Vai) in a guitar “head cutting” contest in the 1986 movie “Crossroads”. I can’t tell you how many times I watched that final scene.
How would you like people to remember you?
Ultimately, I would like people to remember me as an honest person, a good father, and a respected musician. I still have a lot to learn and grow in my career in music and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store!