Yeah.... I kind of removed myself from the scene about 2 years ago. ...I still get calls for gigs but I’ve been refering other players. I've redirected my focus elsewhere for a while. I was actually amazed how easy it was to walk away from music as a full time job. I got really tired of the same set lists all the time... too much repetition. I actually kind of snapped one night after a gig at the MMC and realized I was done. Not finished for good, but just in need of a monumental lifestyle change. And you know, I've not been sick once in the last two years since I stopped playing clubs. Turns out I was allergic to smoke. I was constantly having sore throats. ..Definitely don't miss that. In all the live work I ever did I never had the opportunity to play the music I really wanted to perform. I also regret having put off my own thing so long. I’ve been a part of so many different starts… some better managed than others… and all the while in search of those rare moments of inspiration that happen for maybe 10 seconds, once or twice a night where something magical would happen. I think those kind of moments are what brainwashed me into putting up with the same thing night after night for so long. I wonder where the last 10 years have gone.

It’s weird how the local scene is like broken record sometimes. It’s been described as incestuous. I still love to see live music though. I can’t sit still watching for very long… but it does feel like home… many familiar faces. I find myself pouring musical energy into other areas of my life and actually getting much of the same satisfaction I got from music. …strange how perspective and priorities change with time.

I didn’t even pick up sticks for many months and then sat down on the kit and could suddenly lead left and was playing very creatively. In reality what happened is that the muscle memory was gone and my brain was actually driving the car again. That felt really good. I still play often and am exploring new things. The next time I hit the scene it will be on my terms.