From School Band to Professional Musician: A Personal Journey

I've had the pleasure of being part of several bands, from my high school years to more professional ventures. Growing up, music was a passion that brought me and my friends together, and over the years, it evolved from a hobby into a full-time profession.

Early Beginnings in a High School Band

Back in the late 1960s, I was part of a high school band. It was a memorable experience that laid the foundation for my love of music. Alongside my high school friends, we performed at parties, junior high dances, and even a couple of high school dances. It wasn't just about having fun; it was about creating something we could be proud of.

The Decisive Year Post-Army

After serving in the Army and being turned down due to my chronic asthma, I found myself back with my high school friends. It was a time of reflection and determination. We decided to take our music career seriously and commit to it as a full-time job. In less than a year, we started making a living, and over the next five years, our band grew from a local one to a regional band. We had an agent who booked gigs for us, and I earned three times what I would have made in a minimum-wage job. The best part was having a lot of fun doing it.

The Limitations of Our Act

Despite our successes, our band faced limitations. Our core strength was playing pop songs with a unique twist, and while we also played some rhythm and blues and funk, there was a need for us to evolve. I and the rhythm guitarist were formally trained, and we had a jazz and classical influence in our style. However, the rhythm guitarist wanted to leave to focus on college, signaling that our current act had reached its limit.

A decision was made to reform the band with a new bass player, who was more reliable, and a lyricist. This change was not unanimous; the drummer and singer opted for a club band act, which I did not agree with. I realized that to progress, we needed to either start writing our own songs or become a band that played cover songs exactly as they were recorded, complete with the designer clothes and trendy hairstyles of the late 1970s.

The End of the Journey

We soldiered on for a few months before eventually breaking up. I moved on to other things, such as getting married, finishing my degree, and finding a job. Throughout the 1980s, I backed up a few singer-songwriters and played in the local school district's annual musical, which was a unique experience. I jammed occasionally with friends in the industry and continued to pursue music professionally.

Revisiting Music in a New Era

The late 1980s until 2017 wasn't a period of intense music activity for me. In 2017, a significant change occurred in my personal life, which allowed me to focus more on music. I then established a band again, albeit with constant changes. Despite cold feet from the singer and a few other challenges, I remain committed to performing and playing music with the current band members.

Music has always been a constant in my life, and I hope to continue sharing my passion with others, one jam session at a time.