Life in Dixie: Football, food and Christ

When I write blog posts, I write it for me and my entertainment and if anyone ever reads it I’d be extremely surprised but I digress. Music has been important to many lives for centuries. It’s very interesting to learn someone’s musical influence because it can vary so greatly. For me personally I was influenced largely by my mother and father. Though my parents have divorced I’m extremely thankful that I had/have their presence in my life. Mom and dad had different musical taste, and upbringings though they share some common interests. Mom was always into a more adult contemporary style such as the Beatles, Carpenters, Michael Bolton, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, etc. Whereas Dad was brought up on more of rock and southern rock bands such as Aerosmith, REO Speedwagon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Charlie Daniels, etc. So as the reader of this you can imagine it depended on whom was driving as to what station we listened to. For those artists I mentioned above, during the time where I was beginning to develop my own blend of music I enjoyed every one of them except for Streisand and Diamond (minus Sweet Caroline). I was huge on the Beatles for a year or two during my teens. I remember buying my mom their compilation cd that was all of their number 1 hits and shortly after giving it to her I took it so I could listen to it. Though I think the Beatles are greatly overrated they have some great hits. Of those listed earlier I can only listen to Molly Hatchet, Charlie Daniels, Michael Bolton, and Carpenters at this stage in my life and I blame mainstream radio for that. Though they all are great in their own respects we are hit with the same song repetition and airplay so much that it becomes annoying to hear it (I.e. Sweet Home Alabama- great song but played entirely too much). They had mutual interests in Garth Brooks (which I still love).

In Roanoke where I live and grew up there was really only one rock station that dominated the area, WROV. Their programming was almost exclusively the popular southern rock, and hard rock groups. With adult contemporary we only had two Q99 and Sunny FM but they too played the same things again and again such as the Eagles, Beatles, and Elton John. I get it, that’s what their demographic is into and they play to please the listeners. That’s why I’m so refreshed when I visit other areas (markets) because their airplay is so different than the ones we’re forced to hear multiple times a hour. Top 40 radio is the worst at this, when a song is released and it’s a great song then because of popularity and requests it begins to ruin it.

The music that I came into by myself was a combination of things I felt an outlet in such as metal (and its subgenres) , into country, and society-influenced trends in the top 40 charts. At the end of my elementary school days, there was a latin-pop trend in the mainstream, nu-metal started to become popular, and boy bands were the craze. When I went through middle school I became gravitated towards more heavier stuff, which was from the new school metal being released and also a throw back to the 80s metal bands. In high school I advanced into country and also some of the heavier sub-genres of metal such as death/melodic, metal core, and power metal. Because of their heavy lyrical content and deep thought invoking content it really helped me through some tough times. Country came into my play list such as Kenny Chesney, and Toby Keith because of the upbeat, and fun content which many times were feel good songs or moral developing songs like “I Go Back,” and “Don’t Blink” which provided perspective on not taking things for granted, and appreciating the moment. Since leaving high school 5 years ago the only thing that has added to my musical influences would be Christian (contemporary, and traditional) and some bluegrass. I developed love for Christian music via my faith and church. It holds meaning to me in that when I found new life in Christ, those worship songs in church hold as a bridge from me to Christ. Also it deserves a mention because I listen to it year round, Christmas music. It never gets old, and this is obviously faith-based love of the music. I enjoy both sides of it, the traditional Christian based songs and also the fun, whimsical songs intended for children. It’s also an extension of my happy nature and happy heart. And honestly, the Christ-based Christmas songs are some of the best Christian songs that have ever been written and speak of His love for us.

Metal- Ozzy, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Twisted Sister

Adult Contemporary- Michael Bolton, Carpenters

Country- Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith

Rock- CDB, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith

Christian- Casting Crowns

Bluegrass- Cherryholmes

Etc Metal- Children of Bodom, Bullet For My Valentine, Atreyu

Since I was in my early teens I've been fascinated with music. Every day (during the prime of my deep struggles and trials) I would go down to the basement in my dad's room where he had his stereo (he used it when he worked out) I'd blast rock/metal music and lose myself in it. I'd sing, rock out some air guitar and it was so incredible. It was such a stress relief. I had this fantasy that it was me rocking the masses at Madison Square Garden and being the focus and every one being amazed at my talents on lead guitar. I was so fascinated by guitar that I bugged my parents until they bought me one when I was around age 13 or 14. I attempted lessons but didn’t stick with it very long because I was very impatient and wanted to master it and solo immediately. I took several years off from playing really until high school. They offered a guitar course, so I entered it. The teacher focused on the basics such as chords and simple techniques. For the years following since I learned and was able to change chords with somewhat ease used them to learn basic songs. I played somewhat regular after graduating, I even upgraded my equipment from cheap-o target brand acoustic to an Alvarez (still have it today) which was a tremendous sound/quality improvement. So having that better equipment only helped. I also had a pretty nifty electric which I ended selling because I needed the money. In the past 2 years I really became close with playing acoustic songs. I was able to learn and progress on songs enough to where I actually could play and record certain songs, which served to positively reinforce playing more because of the accomplished feeling and praise from those whom were sent the track I had recorded. My friend whom is aspiring to learn and play guitar decided he was going to buy a really nice quality guitar and a top tier amp. When I got the opportunity to play it, I was amazed. Taking the licks, and improvised solos I had learn via my acoustic guitar, I experimented with his equipment and I could hear the improvements I had made and were drastically better. I was able to solo better, and the effects that the amp had pre-built in were spot on. It gave my confidence such a boost.

I've been single now for about a month. I was in a relationship for around eight months. I came to terms with the reality that I wasn't happy, and had not been for awhile. Even though I had been preparing myself for a few months for the evitable, there's still a period of grieving. The hardest part of breakups, particularly those that are more serious, is learning how to live again. I've been struggling for the past few weeks to find my true happiness. One might assume that just because you freed yourself from an unhappy situation, this makes you complete. It doesn't always lead to happiness.

For me, I'm an incredibly optimistic person. I rarely feel crestfallen or sad. After the breakup, there was that feeling of freedom but it didn't lead to immediate happiness. I still had to search for that "norm" in my life again. There are two things in this life that I will always seek shelter in, my faith in Christ, and sports. I built myself my entire life around either sports, or my love and faith in Christ. So as long as I have those two, I will never be in want. In the last few weeks, I haven't felt unhappy, but felt lost. I felt incomplete, as if I was missing something. There's always a point after a break-up that you need to feel comfortable with yourself. I feel that joy, and comfort with myself. It's always a tricky situation to fall prey to lust, or other illusions that blinds you into thinking that you're truly happy.

Through experiences in life, I've learned that after de-committing from a serious relationship-it's important to focus on yourself and complete happiness. Until today, I had been searching for that feeling inside. I can't say what ultimately drew me to this other than just patience. There is that cliché of "it just takes time." No matter how cliché it may seem, time does heal. We just become very impatient in the healing process, or return to normalization. On this day, I see clearly. Everything has come to life. I'm excited to live. I am revitalized that fall is approaching; football is back. With so many major sports beginning to start back, the oncoming months also indicate that my favorite holiday's are near (Thanksgiving, and Christmas.) It helps return my passion, and love of living. So many exciting things are beginning, which contributes to that feeling of joy, excitement, and optimism that I am as a human.

  I'm thankful for the journey that has lead me to this clarity. I am firm on my belief that everything happens for a reason. For anyone reading this, always consider your struggles a blessing. Appreciate the lessons you learn from every downfall you may encounter. We were never promised a safe journey, just a safe arrival. Thank you for reading, may you be blessed.

  War Eagle