I do take inspiration from my surroundings, but more in a way that I am commentating on daily life. I probably write from a darker place mentally than I would care to admit. Things affect me and I react. I will see the news and something gets in my head and it will eventually come out. But I don’t write political songs or anything like that. I put all my feelings of frustration and worry together and my songs become my own form of therapy.

Also, there is nothing more inspiring than time itself. Every experience is worth revisiting at some point in the form of a song. It all ends up there eventually.

In the beginning it was whatever was on in the house. Neil Young, Beatles, etc. As I discovered my own tastes I dug into all sorts of alternative, punk, indie and Americana. I just look for good writers, people with a story to tell and a knack for melody.

And there is still so much great music being made. Now listeners just have to dig a little deeper. Complaining about what is “on the radio” is pointless. I haven’t listened to the radio in a really long time. You’ll find great music if you just open your ears and give someone obscure a chance.

Musically I wouldn’t say I have heroes. Some of my favorite writers; John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Elliott Smith, Tom Petty, are all dead. Noel Gallagher is a living example of someone I still look up to, and I always go back to certain artists and still enjoy their old records. The last big show I went to was Wilco, and I still think they are great. I like people who keep going. There are no rules or expiration dates when you do things a certain way. Good music just keeps rolling along.

I couldn’t imagine my life without music. I have been playing and writing and recording my entire adult life. I have to go back to my really early childhood to get to a time when I wasn’t playing an instrument. So, for me, it was always what I wanted to do and something I’ll continue doing for as long as life allows.

Don’t expect immediate success. The people who are connected or have money or whatever, have an easier path, but you can’t expect the same for yourself. Making music is not usually profitable for the average person. Expect disappointment and plenty of heartache, but if you stick with it, maybe something good will happen. If not, then you did what you love and that should be reason enough to keep at it.

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