The melody of life rarely follows a single instrument. Mine began at nine, a squeaky violin under my chin. While I loved music, the violin wasn't quite my voice. So, I swapped bows for brass, the bright trumpet a brief, but (according to my parents) unwelcome, phase. Marching band drums brought a thunderous joy, but College and a demanding career soon drowned out the rhythm.
Music became a distant memory for over two decades. Then, at 32, a yearning for that lost melody resurfaced. I bought a mismatched pair - an acoustic and an electric guitar - my constant companions on business trips. My initial notes were more like strangled cats than music, but determination is my middle name. Song by song, technique by technique, I clawed my way back.
The Classical Guitar called next. Joining my local college ensemble was a revelation, the sheet music a language I hadn't spoken in years. It was there I learned the power of playing with others. A friend, teaching worship guitar at a church, sparked a new flame. Soon, I was part of a vibrant worship team in Vista, CA.
After a fulfilling couple of years, the urge to explore secular music grew stronger. With a few brave souls from the worship team, we embarked on a long and sometimes painful journey. Learning a single set felt like climbing Mount Everest, but the shared struggle forged a bond, and the eventual success was pure euphoria.
Gigs became our playground, each one a victory lap. The county transformed into our stage, filled with the energy of our music. From Classic Rock to Yacht Rock, we tackled it all. But a new melody began to hum. Backing tracks offered a full-band experience, and I craved the freedom of solo performance.
My voice, it turned out, had a country twang, a perfect match for the stories I wanted to tell. Country became my canvas, but the colors of Classic Rock, pop, and even a sprinkle of finger style still find their way in. And the Classical Guitar? That old friend awaits a return engagement.
With retirement here, the music can finally take center stage. No more stolen moments, just the lifetime of melodies waiting to be shared. The journey has been a beautiful cacophony of instruments, each one shaping my voice. Now, it's time to let that voice truly sing.
