my hot dog couch got to be in a movie with Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Charlie Sheen. here it is gracing the back cover of the DVD for Charles Swan III. i’m staring at the couch right now in my home studio as i write this. it’s looking back at me with a kind of smug, condescending look that only a wiener could pull off.
i got an out-of-the-blue phone call to audition for the (then unknown) Jonas Brothers. never did i think that what i considered to be a summer job would lead to becoming part of a family of best friends - between the 3 brothers, band members and touring crew.
what’s even more unbelievable is God’s grace. how some little idiot (me) could spend the past 8 years traveling the world with the Jo Bros, performing on the grammys with Stevie Wonder, playing with Brad Paisley at the Grand Ole Opry, writing songs and getting to see people who don’t even speak english sing along to them. It’s all for the glory of God and speaks volumes that if God can use someone like me, he can use anybody. Even though the things I just listed are nice accomplishments, the real best parts are the hangs backstage, the long tour bus rides, the epic meals in between rehearsals, etc. I’m beyond grateful to be a part of something so special. I know a lot of fans will come and go - but I’m just happy to be here and work in music at any level. It helps to know that my identity isn’t in my job as a musician, but rather totally complete in Jesus.
Of course, the coolest part of this journey has been meeting my future wife at a karaoke bar in LA, dating for 2 and a half years and getting married last April. As if it couldn’t get any better being married to my best friend, she was then hired to sing backup vocals in the same band. performing with her and the rest of my tour family has been incredible and i’m looking forward to much more - but all the while trying desperately not to forget to live each day in the moment. i’m a little too good at getting ahead of myself, so this is a big concept for me to grasp.
Here’s to taking random opportunities. you never know where they may lead or what may happen tomorrow. enjoy today. thanks for reading.
Yo!
i hate to feel like i’m advertising for anything on here, but this is an actual important cause and if i can use this blog to draw attention to it, then i will.
A friend of mine named Matthew is in elementary school and has Type 1 Diabetes. Thankfully with a lot of scientific research, it’s getting easier for people with Diabetes to live their lives without being held back by this. However, Matthew is young and has to wake up every hour at night for his shots. He is trying to raise money to get a “Diabetic Alert Dog.” This dog will be able to sense Matthew’s low blood sugar from a mile away and actually bring him his medicine!! If you didn’t know that we are living in the year 2013 - this is proof. It would take a tremendous weight off of him and his family. (not to mention peace of mind when he’s at school.)
In an attempt to raise some money for the dog, his family is auctioning off a signed Jonas Brothers acoustic guitar. (i can assure you; it’s legit) Anyway, if you are in the market for a piece of memorabilia or even just a new guitar, consider checking it out. All the money will go towards his dog.
Here’s Matthew’s story:
https://www.facebook.com/MatthewsJourneyToADiabeticAlertDog
Here’s the link to the guitar, if interested:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/330923059115
Thanks for reading.
man its been a long time since i’ve written in this space. it’s largely due to the fact that i rarely use my laptop computer anymore and i still haven’t figured out how to use the tumblr iphone app. well, i’d say it’s more my lack of patience than actual low IQ. but whatever. the point is i’m writing this now. i have no clue what to write about. i guess let’s start with where i left off:
my last post here was in September 2011. i was just engaged to the lovely Paris Carney and was about to go on tour again with my band Ocean Grove. crazy but yesterday was my one year anniversary of marriage with Paris. so awesome. i recommend marriage to everyone. i know it’s different in many other parts of the US, but in los angeles, it’s pretty strange to get married “young.” (she was 24 i was 25) i don’t really care if it’s weird though. i happened to meet the love of my life at a young age. why would we wait any longer? it’s kind of counter-culture in our hipster neighborhood of LA to be mid-twenties and married. i love it. remember readers, marriage is not an acknowledgment of current love, but rather a promise of unending future love. in my opinion, a lot of people seem to view marriage as a contract designed with a way out. kind of misses the whole point. the cool part about it is that you willingly forsake all other options and choose to be with this person no matter what. it allows you to be completely open and honest. it’s strange how that works - within the boundary of marriage, there is complete freedom to love and accept love. and as far as “settling down;” well we’ve been to 4 continents in the past 6 months together because…
oh yeah, the jonas boiz got back togetha and made a new album. it makes me so happy to be back with everyone playing shows again. and also so much more appreciative after their hiatus. we were going pretty nonstop for quite some time there. but once you take a break - you realize what a special bond we have with each other and with the fans. i missed it so much during those 2 years off. really working hard to live in the moment and enjoy each day on tour with you people. i’m incredibly pumped to get back on tour this summer and play a bunch of new songs. this new album is so diverse - you will love it!
i love talking to you guys on twitter and at shows and hearing your opinion on the music. sometimes i venture out to read comments but the only website i really know about it oceanup and man, some of those comments…woah.
anyway, if you find me this week in NYC or this summer on the road, feel free to say hello. i always love hearing listener’s opinions on the music and what songs they want to hear. and if you have a question about life - ask away and i’ll try my best not to screw up that answer too! remember, i dropped out of college :)
each day really is a gift. grateful for you all.
Love the haters in your life.
It’s cool to say and would look good on a shirt, but it’s hard to actually do in real life on a day-to-day basis. And i don’t mean “embrace the haters” like in a i’m gonna prove them all wrong one day, then they’ll see kinda way. I mean, actually love them, even as they make fun of you, or put down something you believe is right. now, i’m not saying you should be a pussy, either. But if someone hates the color blue, and you know that it’s wrong to hate the color blue; dont call them a moron or hate them back. Not only have you stooped to their level, but have entered into a circular argument based on hatred that will never resolve. Ok, now replace “the color blue” with “race / sexual orientation / ethnicity / body type, etc.” No one ever realized the error of their ways while yelling insults in an argument. It just leads to people getting defensive and breeds more animosity. Obviously, if people are getting physically hurt, there’s a time and place for self-defense. It should never be the first option though. Repaying hate with hate is not only bizarrely ironic, but misses the whole point. Lead by example. Stand up for what’s right, without putting others down.
- “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” - Gandhi
- “If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well.” - Jesus
- It is certainly not easy. Who’s up to the challenge?
