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 […]
When you’re planning an event—whether it’s a wedding, party, or corporate celebration—you want the music to do more than just fill the air. You want it to create atmosphere, spark joy, and leave your guests with memories that last. That’s why the question of backing tracks is more important than you might think. On the […]
The Year of the Fire Horse has officially begun. In the traditional Chinese 60-year cycle, the Fire Horse is known for intensity, forward motion, independence, and bold action. The Horse already represents speed, charisma, and momentum. Add the Fire element, and the symbolism becomes amplified: heat, visibility, courage, volatility. Whether you believe in astrology or […]
Concerts have long been a way for audiences to enjoy music passively, sitting back and listening as performers share their craft. But what if concerts could offer something more? What if they could become immersive experiences where audiences engage, connect, and actively participate in the music-making process? This is the essence of an interactive concert. […]
What if everything you thought about rhythm—its complexity, its reliance on math, its dependence on notation—was flipped on its head? What if, instead of being something abstract and academic, rhythm was the most human, embodied, and intuitive part of music? This is the world you enter when studying with Ronan Guilfoyle (which I am now […]