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The Promise of Music

Okay, you’ve decided to come this far. So, I guess the deal is I’m supposed to tell you a little about me, and how I got here; home on The Mountain. Seems as good a place as any to toss informational tidbits your way. I’m not into writing novels – at least not yet – but I figure if asked the question “How’d ya get here?� I ought to be able to muster a better response than “Because of the music.� That pretty much captures it though: I’m here because of the music. The coffee’s not bad either.

I don’t want to sound preachy – leave that for the preachers – but music is potent beyond the degree it is given credit for being: Its simply good medicine. Music has different significance for each of us, but for me, it is a vehicle for getting somewhere, be it a frame of mind or place and time. You probably have your own version of what music is for you – I’d be interested in knowing what it is. I can’t imagine how different my life would be had it not been for the common thread of music. I suppose I might never have ended up here. I might have become an astronaut instead…

I grew up around music. Some of my earliest memories are of my dad playing the piano and singing Sinatra songs, or playing guitar and singing Mr. Bojangles or Me and Bobby McGee  – some of the catchier numbers from his repertoire which also includes show tunes and a pretty comprehensive knowledge of Peter, Paul & Mary. His connection with music has the most direct impact on my own passion for music. Sadly, I also acquired his sense of humor. That, I’m inclined to blame on genetics.

I was – and still am to a large degree – a music geek. I was the kid who would play record after record and talk abut the music and the groups with friends, which is more or less what I do here: Talk about the music and the stories behind it. I was the guy in high school who emceed the Spring Fling at the local rec center as a member of the radio club. Several false starts, detours, and some engine trouble later, I ended up here. It’s either an example of having found my niche or a case of arrested development. In either case, the colors here are pretty.

I’ve been playing in bands for a while, and that has brought me more joy and gratification than I have a vocabulary to describe so, I’ll just say it’s been pretty nifty (“rad� also came to mind, but it seemed a little dated). I still play today, twenty years or so behind the bass, and lots to be learned still. It was through these channels that I first ran across some of the people I now work with. Next thing I know, I’m here; one of the tribe.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of music lovers – friends that appreciate good music and the stories behind the songs, others who are involved in the local music community here in Denver, and of course the other Mountain Guides who have made me feel welcome here in the cabin.

I’ll change things up on this page every so often, so check back from time to time and see if you spy anything new that catches your interest.