As a musician, I spend a lot of time evaluating venues from angles most guests probably never think about. How does the staff treat people? Is management organized? Does the atmosphere make people want to stay longer? Does the venue create an environment where events actually feel enjoyable? Is the layout functional? Does the place […]
This past weekend, I had the privilege of providing live music for a fundraiser benefiting the Grand Strand Down Syndrome Society, held at Beachfront Kitchen & Bar in Myrtle Beach. On the surface, it might seem like a fairly straightforward event: live music, a crowd of supporters, a beachfront venue, and a worthy cause. But […]
A couple days ago marked six months since my wife and I officially moved to the Myrtle Beach area, and I found myself reflecting on how much has changed during that relatively short period of time. In some ways, it feels like we just arrived. In other ways, it feels like I’ve lived an entirely […]
When couples start planning their wedding weekend in Charleston, one of the first questions that comes up is where to host the rehearsal dinner. It’s easy to treat that night as a formality. A quick dinner, a few toasts, and then on to the main event the next day. But the truth is, the rehearsal […]
When I first sat down to watch Whiplash, I was expecting an intense drama about the pursuit of musical excellence. What I didn’t expect was how strongly I would react as a professional musician who has spent decades practicing, performing, and teaching. The film has been widely praised for its acting, tension, and storytelling. It […]
On paper, a beach wedding in North Myrtle Beach sounds almost too good to be true. For a small permit fee, you get waves crashing in the background, open sky, and a naturally beautiful setting that doesn’t need much decoration. It feels simple, affordable, and romantic in the best possible way. And in many ways, […]
Last Friday, I played a rehearsal dinner at the South Carolina Maritime Museum, and it ended up being one of those gigs that reveals something important—not just about the venue, but about what actually makes an event work. On paper, it’s a relatively simple space. It’s not a ballroom, it’s not a high-end resort, and […]
Some films are entertaining. Others are clever. A rare few rise above those categories entirely—they touch something deep, something universal, something about what it means to be human. For me, Pleasantville falls firmly in that last category. I don’t use the word “masterpiece” lightly, but this film earns it. I often find myself more deeply […]
Every now and then, a conversation with another musician opens a window into your own artistic identity. Not long ago, a drummer from Myrtle Beach reached out, saying he and his bassist friend really wanted to meet me and perhaps start a new band together. He sounded enthusiastic, but in his message he cited Spyro […]
Sometimes I feel I’m at an interesting age: old enough to have some wisdom, but not so old that I sound like the stereotypical elder saying, “Back in my day, we walked uphill both ways in the snow in July.” I’m 55, and I often find myself straddling two worlds—the eagerness of youth that wants […]