A Part Of The Music

Breaking The Law For Music
When I was underage, my brother let me carry his amp past doormen so I could sneak into bars for his shows.  No one ever gave me trouble, but they did give me looks of respect: I was with the band. I brought the music.

I had played some crappy venues with punk bands, but this was different. These were adults, and these were real musicians. This was my brother, who had been playing religiously for over a decade and gave me my first bass and my first Parliament album. As a kid I watched him wear out a Stevie Ray Vaughan VHS by learning every solo, 7 seconds of tape at a time. I didn’t have the talent or dedication to truly be in the band, but I wanted to be part of it, and he helped me get closer to music.

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Something We Share
From years of listening, playing and going down endless rabbit holes of who played on what album and how musicians were connected, I have learned quite a bit and fostered a passion for music, and sometimes I feel as if all I can do with it is to listen and talk about music. It can be hard to apply this passion to help people who care about music, but I always stick around to thank a band after a show. It is hard to apply all this knowledge, outside of paying attention to Rob’s shows and offering my thoughts on what went down or listening to new songs.

This all changed when I saw The Family Jam. Rob’s band was one of three that did a set before sharing the stage together. 10 people, including three singers and band leaders, collaborating on stage to make great music. Sharing the spotlight to make it brighter for them all. 
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I could tell they were feeling it. Rob was the silent leader, putting everyone in a position to do what they do best. Not for himself, but for the music. This was his dream as a musician; to take a turn at singing lead, singing harmonies, playing rhythm and then doing what he does best, take a solo. Playing his songs and his friends’ songs for themselves and the audience. Most of all, making some of the best music I have ever heard live.

A New Idea For Music
​Something clicked for me during that show. I had worked with numerous startups and tech companies, most recently helping a group of filmmakers and creators circumvent the traditional industry structure. What I saw on stage was how this could work for musicians.

3 bands with overlapping musicians that collaborate the way a company can only dream of, and make a product people will love. Music that I wanted more people to get to experience. I also saw the challenges facing them in doing it. This is not the type of music that will generate the next summer jam or Grammy appearance, but it is the type of music that a lot of us enjoy. These are not the musicians looking for riches or fame, but a way to keep playing for more and more people without having to give up creative control or take a gig as a waiter. How could these musicians get this music to more people and sustain the effort of doing so?

What It All Means
In that moment I saw the real chance of being part of the band. The real chance to use my passion and my skills to help more people make music and more fans hear it. The real chance to be with the band, and a contributing member to it.