The Houston, Texas House Concert was a huge success and I met and had the opportunity to play for some absolutely wonderful folks, from all walks of life, and from many different countries, who have all found themselves coming together in their own home community to hang out and listen to a songwriter from Los Angeles, CA.

I was told by my new friends that hosted the event, that we had about 50 or 60 people on the yard listening to me for the first set, before the concert

was interrupted by a brief shower—which I am coming to find is sometimes common this time of year in Houston? To be completely honest, I don’t know that for certain. No one in particular really provided any sage wisdom on the subject—there was much discussion of rain and its frequency in the weeks leading up to the event, albeit in passing, by text or email. I’m a human being, and sometimes I operate under assumptions, so bear with me if you are from Houston and are thinking, “self, this guy doesn’t know dick about Houston and its weather.” You would be correct—and there is no need for that language.

There are some things in life that are deeply refreshing to the soul of an artist, if I may be so bold to refer to myself in such a manner, on both fronts: spiritually and artistically. I do make art, and I am hardly recognized in a scope outside the realm of individuals who may have heard my name in passing or have lived within southern California for the past 20 years or so—and have blessed me with their company throughout the years while I have occupied the space of a stage, playing the music of my life. So, imagine my surprise to see all of these people here in Houston, Texas. I found myself asking them, “ so what are all you beautiful folks doing here tonight?”

The truth of the matter is that I have had some wonderful hosts not only here in Houston, but also in Austin, and San Antonio, who took the time to invite friends, family, and colleagues out to hear me play some music and to give me the opportunity to entertain them for an evening. Beyond this, I have never been to the southern United States before the month of October, with the exception of what states I visited in the earlier portions of my tour in August and September of this year. I am writing this to you from New Orleans, Louisiana. I have never been here before either.

If I may share something with you: I made it my goal several years ago, to travel the United States, on the back of my own music. I maintained and stayed true to this desire for more years than I care to admit—and while I have lost my way on several occasions, I feel some levity and forgiveness should be afforded—considering the immense amount of things I have had to teach myself in order to get to where I have arrived this year. This was an intention I had been planning to execute in 2020—well, before COVID-19 delayed these events. However, they were originally conjured many many years before that by a kid from Visalia, California that dreamed of traveling the world playing the music that he wrote.

In order for me to accomplish this though, I needed to learn how to make friends everywhere I go, to network, to multitask, to be my own boss, to be kind to myself as my own employee, how to write a song that people would want to listen to, how to be earnest in my art, how to write creatively, how to have a basic understanding of marketing, how music works in theory, how to arrange music, how to produce it, how to communicate with artists (as we are sensitive folk at times), how to be mildly charismatic (or even funny at times), how to use social media, how to create a website, how to influence search engine optimization, how to operate as my own record label, how to generate a mailing list, how to say “no” to some things, how to say “yes” to nearly everything, how to accept the kindness of others no matter what your pride has to say on the matter, how to maintain my pride through embarrassment and mistake (regardless of how subjective or objective either may be), how to know what I want and to pursue it to the best of my capability, how to create social events for my community, how to record, how to mix music, how to communicate with people that are experts at sound and mixing, how to do graphic design, how to explain what I am picturing in my head to someone helping me to realize whatever that creative thing might be, how to publish music and what are the necessaries to collecting money in a constantly fluctuating business model, how to shoot video, how to edit video, how to organize my own tours, how to do a tour in a cost effective manner that allows me to come back in the black, how the ego leads to the use of passive aggressive behavior and how to not behave passive aggressively, how to simply ask or express to someone that what he or she did does not make you feel good, how to ask if someone wants your opinion before giving it, how to not jump to conclusions, how to realize when someone is trying to convince you of something, how to apologize and when to say thank you, how to deal with a heckler in an audience, how to show appreciation for the kindness of others (always), how to be patient, how to push myself out of my own comfort zone in order to grow, how to deal with moving somewhere new where you don’t know anyone or have any friends, how to be the best version of myself and to live with as much kindness in my heart as I can muster, how to not dwell…

I know that deep in my heart and recollection, there is more than this. But, this is what I could think of over a cup of coffee in my hotel room. Everything is a work in progress too. But, have no doubt: all of these things play into trying to realize a dream, by my own approximation. Mine is not fully realized—but in equal measure, I realize that “life is a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.”

So, Houston—John and Neda: thank you. I am patient. I am resolute. I am grateful. I am taking notes. There is much to learn and much to teach when the time is right—and there is much to see. Please excuse me dear reader. I’m going to see more of New Orleans right now. It is beautiful and rich with unexplored treasures.