It is good to be back.
A home carries a heavy, vigilant silence when a child is unwell—a different kind of quiet than the restorative hush of a late-night practice session. This past week, that was the atmosphere in our house. My toddler has been fighting through a recovery that required every bit of my focus and energy.
As a musician, my hands are usually busy with strings and frets. This week, they were busy with cool cloths, comfort, and the quiet rhythm of parenting. There is a deep, often unspoken vulnerability in that role. Brené Brown once said, “Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” Taking a step back from the stage to focus entirely on my son was a reminder of where my true light begins. Now that he is finally on the mend and the smiles are returning to his face, it feels like the sun is beginning to peek through the clouds again.
The Ice is Slowly Melting
I found myself thinking a lot about George Harrison this week. Specifically, I thought about the spring of 1969. The Beatles were embroiled in the heavy, suffocating "winter" of business meetings, legal paperwork, and the slow dissolution of their collective. Harrison, feeling the weight of it all, famously skipped a meeting at Apple Corps one morning and headed to Eric Clapton’s house. He took an acoustic guitar into the garden, and as the first real April sun hit the grass, he wrote "Here Comes the Sun."
The lyrics are simple, but their accuracy to the human experience is profound. “Little darling, it's been a long, cold, lonely winter. Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting.” He wasn’t just talking about the English weather; he was talking about the relief of a burden being lifted. That is exactly how it felt this morning when I finally picked up my guitar again.
Music has always been my way of processing the world. It is the "Music For Your Soul" that I aim to provide for others, but it is also the music for my soul. There is a restorative power in the first few strums of an acoustic guitar after a period of forced silence. It feels like a renewal: a signal that the season of worry is passing and a season of melody is beginning.
Reflecting on the Magic of Summer
This return to the guitar feels particularly poignant as we move deeper into June. I’ve been reflecting on two recent posts I shared with you all. First, there was The Magic of Summer Live Music, where I talked about how the right atmosphere can transform a standard evening into a lifelong memory.
Summer isn't just a season; it's a feeling. It’s the way the light lingers over a mountain ridge during a wedding ceremony or the way a cool breeze carries the sound of a Taylor guitar across a terrace during a corporate event. In that post, I emphasized the intentionality behind every performance. It’s never just about playing songs; it’s about creating a cinematic backdrop for the most important moments of people’s lives.
Finding the Voice Again
I also spent some time revisiting Sunday Inspiration: The King, MomEl, and Finding My Voice. That post was a deeply personal dive into the influences that shaped me: specifically the presence of Elvis and the unwavering support of MomEl.
Finding your voice isn't a one-time event; it’s a constant refinement. This past week of being "home-bound" allowed me to listen more than I played. I listened to the old records, the ones that prioritize storytelling and emotional resonance. It reminded me why I do what I do. Whether I am acting as a wedding musician for a couple's first dance or providing live music for corporate events at places like the Talisker Club, the goal is the same: to deliver a boutique experience that feels authentic and deeply professional.
Unreasonable Hospitality in the Summer Season
As we look toward the rest of June and July, my focus is shifting back to the "Unreasonable Hospitality" that anchors my business. This concept: going above and beyond what is expected to make someone feel truly seen and cared for: is what I strive for in every performance.
For a wedding musician, that might mean learning a specific, obscure song that means the world to the bride’s father. For a corporate event, it means reading the room so perfectly that the music feels like a natural extension of the brand's culture. It’s about being more than a "local gig musician." It’s about being a provider of a premium, cinematic musical atmosphere.
Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” I feel that "arising" this week. I am eager to get back out there, to see your faces, and to share the songs that have been ruminating in the quiet of the last few days.
Walt Disney once remarked, "Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever." As we step into the sunnier days of this summer, my dream remains the same: to bring a sense of peace, joy, and "Music For Your Soul" to every space I enter.
Performance Schedule
I’m officially back on stage tonight, and that feels really good to say. After a quiet stretch at home, it means a lot to be stepping back into the rhythm of live performance and reconnecting with people face to face. And honestly, even loading the guitar back into the Chevy Equinox felt like a small sign that life is finding its rhythm again.
This Week
Tuesday, June 16 - Second Summit Cider - Millcreek, UT - 7-9pm
Thursday, June 18 - RoHa Brewing Project - Salt Lake City, UT - 7-10pm
Next Week
Saturday, June 27 - Private Party (Family Party) - Tremonton, UT - 5-10pm
For additional dates and the latest updates, you can always check the full calendar here:
Thank you for your patience and your kind words over the last week. The community we are building here means the world to Bonnie and me. We are so grateful to have the "sun" back in our home, and I can't wait to share that warmth with you from the stage very soon.