Music has been a part of my life for quite a while and a passion I hope to never give up.  It all started one day in fifth grade during rhythm class.  I used to goof off more than hone my skills, but little did I know “bring two sticks and make it to relate ya!” would mean much. 

Next up was my less exciting days of brass that truly made me the musician I am today.  I walked into six grade with little to no aspiration to pursue music.  I remember sitting at orientation at Shiloh Middle “the spartans” and clapping back beats.  Still lack luster at best and I was jack assing around like any 11 year old.  Next we auditioned on our choice instruments (trumpet or sax) and my mouth pieces kept getting larger.  Low and behold they finally give me a tuba mouth piece.  I rated highest on this thing.  Whether that was the case or they just needed a percentage of tuba players I’ll never know.

The next several years propelled me through the ranks.  Being fairly modest I always think I suck, but the constant positive reinforcement from family, friends, teachers, and mainly auditions made me confident.  Soon I wanted to express my talents with an electric bass.  I was good, if not, great on tuba for my experience, but I was very self-conscious of the band image.  I always thought myself the more rock type and found myself actively revolting the band image.  It began to feel like a choked down destiny because nobody seemed to understand wanting to change something that I was working.  I brought it on myself by offering little resistance because hell it was fun being good at something.

After making several accomplished bands and achieving my goal of receiving a college scholarship to Auburn in music and engineering I found myself saying what next.  Well, I decided to buck the system on this sophomore year.  I sold my tuba, dropped band, and bought a nice bass guitar and amp. Surprise mom and dad!

Ah my natural american fender j bass what a beauty.  I after a few days or weeks found myself wondering what the hell I was thinking.  I sucked and this time I new it.  I was asking anyone and everyone for help in my recent change.  This is when my decision took an amazing turn for the better.  I met Chris Murchison who happily invited me over to play with him and Spicolli (Kyle Brady).  Their patience with me and love of music are the only thing that made me a bass player (well and practice).  I was amazed to find myself in a studio recording with them a few weeks after fumbling through my first songs.  I am hooked and to this day love playing.  I appreciate now how much my practical music training gave me a base to learn the bass.

~~Turtle