Who Am I?

I am currently a student at the optometry school in Puerto Rico. Why Puerto Rico? Well, there are only 18 schools total in the US, and I thought this would be fun and different. As for the military- I am an officer in the Medical Corps. They gave a substantial (!!!) scholarship and upon graduation I will serve as 3 years as repayment in the capacity of an optometrist. So thats my background there.

Musically, i am a native southerner, who was reared in Nashville, TN for all my known childhood. I grew up hating country music, but enjoying the complete diverse sounds of the local music industry. I enjoy southern rock, progressive rock and some of the modern indie movement. My hero growing up was local great Phil Keaggy, and to this day I cannot play an acoustic because I feel guilty that I haven’t practiced enough when compared to Phil. My “mentor” if you will was the late great Rich Mullins, and I try to stick with his philosophies today.
That said, I have been playing in bands since I was 15. I picked up my electric in ‘98- a Epiphone Les Paul (not the cheap-o ones!) because I wanted to find that crunch that Luna Halo and Switchfoot had. Now, I currently play lead guitar every Sunday at our church here in PR and play 3 services, 2 English, 1 Spanish. I have had the opportunity to play many diverse styles within our diverse services, with diverse musicians. I have had to learn that my favorite styles/licks/sound is not the current service’s and thus have learned to self-sacrifice to fit the people and their worship so as not to distract.
I consider my influences: Caedmon’s Call, Phil Keaggy, Rich Mullins, Collective Soul, Vertical Horizon, Goo Goo Dolls, Luna Halo, Third Day, David Crowder Band, Something Like Silas, PFR (the first big “Electric Rock” in CCM) and up to Dream Theater, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
With that- I am a musician by heart, but by nature a worshipper of God. My talents are given by him, and particularly in my position within the band, I cannot distract from this. As a servant, I want to make sure the peoples’ worship is enhanced, but I am not known as being there. A quote was once said: the ideal place for the worship band is behind the audience, behind a curtain. I believe this to a stance- we need to be absent as musicians/performers from the viewers worship, but we have the capacity of friends worshiping with you to be in the eyeline of the viewer. Some people need the visual to understand that God gave the talent and they are blessed through it. Thats the paradox of our position.

This said, my journey as a musician, as a person, grows as I live. Through my studies and through my constant playing, through my philosophies and ideologies. How I approach my guitar playing now is not the same from 2 years ago. I invite you to grow with me as I explain my strong suites and learn from my weak ones.
May your life be blessed through this blog.
Galatians 6:14