Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why?
A. I was 14 I believe...almost 15....and I went to this teen skateboard thinga-mijiga...to make a long answer short, I met the man who introduced me musical instruments and singing. I have just always felt passion and release through music since I started. There's nothing like it.
Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business?
A. Actually around the time when I started my father put me in foster care and I never found more release than when I played then.
Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why?
A. First and foremost...Dream Theater...they are amazing. Jason Becker and Marty Friedman quite a bit as well. A bunch of great shredders and virtuosos but also the mainstream talent...Zakk Wylde, Incubus, Sublime, Tool, Atreyu, Slayer and tons more.
Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition?
A. My versatility, durability, determination, dedication, endurance, stage pressence, the ability to improvise/play with anyone regardless of skill level or style and lots of other great "I wanna work with that guy!" kind of vibes.
Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door?
A. I would say...yes...for one...my wife wouldn't forgive me. And second if I have to play with pop stars to open more doors or new ones I'm all for it. Situational awareness. Anyways...big stars usually pick virtuosos because they are versatile and reliable, not because they can play "Flight of the Bumblebee" while doing a headstand and drinking a beer...thats for the party backstage.
Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals?
A. Honestly, I don' t sell incomplete work, and right now I'm working on joining my friends in Wichita to lay down our first professional CD tracks that we are going to play live and record professionally. After that tour, tour, tour, gig, gig, gig...until someone gives us an oppurtunity.
Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache?
A. I believe the music will speak for itself and no matter what happens the fans won't let the industry tell them what to like. The music I play is the music I like to listen to...but I like listening to everything but only if that everything is played a certain way.
Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists?
A. Drugs, Alcohol...no...just kidding. Honestly...if you believe in yourself and in the product of your imagination, than don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. And don't make excuses.
Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why?
A. Anything for our kids. Also any foundation that helps support music programs for our kids. Also I'd like to give away cheap well-made guitars to people who can't afford them but love playing. I know first hand how it feels to be a musician without the ability to play an instrument except at guitar shops and axe-wielding friend's house.
Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy.
