Simple really, you see ever since I was a kid I wanted to be that guitar player up on stage and people really liking what he was doing. For one reason or another that never happened, I guess if I knew know what I didn't know then I would have practiced more and made more of a commitment, but I grew up in the 70's and well getting stoned was my top priority. I was not thinking long term at all, nor were most of my friends. But I did play, although not that great I played enough to entertain myself but not others. Sure I would get together with friends once in a while and play but I was always amazed at how much better they were, Duh, they practiced more. So I would try to learn more stuff but then would get sidetracked on some other thing that came along, no commitment, I was a dumbass plain and simple.
So then a few years ago I have this stroke and I couldn't play at all, let alone walk or talk or feed myself. I could have cared less if I ever got out of that wheelchair, my main focus was to play my guitar again. You see even though I wasn't all that great at playing it was still a passion for me and to have that taken away was horrible. So after my stroke, for about 3 months all I could do is hold my guitar and cry, it hurt not to be able to play, so I tried and tried and slowly things started to improve. I could make chords, I could strum a bit and I even got some of my finger-pickin back. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and I am fortunate to be able to play again.
Then last summer, just when I thought it was over I was diagnosed with cancer and well it scared the shit out of me. I thought ah shit here we go again. So I have been practicing more now than ever before and I bought a Boss Micro BR to record as much as I can. You see even though I never became that guitar player up on that stage I wanted to leave some sort of musical legacy and now I have that chance. I have put my songs on CD's for my friends and family and I don't care if they don't sound perfect, anytime I played I didn't sound perfect so why should I now. I just want them to hear me sing and play.
And thanks to UG I am reaching people I thought I could never reach, so in some way I have been able to take that stage in front of all of you, and so far you have liked most of my music. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that, it really means a lot to me. So thank you all.
If I learned anything from all the shit I have had to go through it is not to take anything for granted and enjoy each and every day.
keep on doin what ya do, man! i've noticed on yer MP3's, that yer starting to really get into the whole recording thing. very cool! you know, part of what makes UG so cool is people such as yerself. not just turnin out great tunes, but inspiring minds.
sucks about the cancer though! my prayers are with you. my mom beat two types of cancer last year, and was diagnosed with a third earlier this year. its a long road, but im sure you know all about long roads.
anyway, i'll be waiting for the next track.
You should have a huge well to draw on for great songs. Some of the best music has been produced by people at the worst times in their lives. The stage is still out there for you man. God also needs musicians. YOU ROCK man!
A M A Z I G L Y inspiring blog.
That's a really inspiring story. It's great and sad at the same time to hear things like this (Great because you fought through the stroke and learned to play again, sad because of the stroke and the cancer.)
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