Try the BESTMySpace Editor and MySpace Backgrounds at MySpace Toolbox! You just never know when a crazy notion will take you places. I'm was in the 3rd grade and decided to enter a class talent show. I "created" a song on the piano and played it. My parents asked if I wanted piano lessons and my grandmother paid for them. It was a financial sacrifice that I'll never forget or take for granted.
Like a lot of young people I grew impatient playing other people's music. I started writing my own songs and playing them in churches and wherever anyone would listen. Now I wish that I had practiced more and learned a variety of songs!
During a hiatus from college, I toured with the country band The Fletcher Brothers on their New Mexico Tour. We played several clubs and the tour highlight was opening for Exile in front of 9,000 people on the Fourth of July. I had a lot to learn about being a traveling musician and I gained valuable experience.
Shortly afterwards I joined the alternative Christian rock band, Perhaps Tomorrow. I wrote the song "Cry of the Forgiven" which was played on local college radio and was later included on the band's first album. We played throughtout the region and again I picked up a great deal of "road" knowledge. One BIG piece of advice...take the deer signs seriously!
College re-entered the picture and I helped form Free 'n Deed with a couple of fellow students. This group performed in the region as a pop/rock/rap group at churches, community events, and festivals (including Atlanta Fest). FnD wrote several songs and recorded an album "Life Sentence." It was a local hit that was produced by Dwight Dunlap and featured a guest performance by Jeff Calhoun.
Within a few years I became a member of the Oak Grove Worship Team. This would be a six year experience of which the last three I was group leader. A change in churches led me to First Alliance and their worship team. I played keyboards and ran sound for one of the teams at the church. It's been said over and over there's no perfect church. That's true. Many are changing to accomodate the current trends and social "norms." This isn't necessarily a good thing.
Out of necessity, I learned the art of sound mixing. I'm probably more of a "connect the dots" type of sound guy! I ran sound at almost every church that our family attended. A couple of highlights in the mixing areas were working with Joey and the Cruisiers and doing a one time acoustic show for Vertical Horizon at Lexington's Crowne Plaza. But, my main love remains the keyboards. So...
I'm fortunate to be the keyboardist for the Steve Sizemore Group and Rockhouse. SSG will be performing at the Abbey Road On The River festival in Louisville and other festivals promoting our new album due in the spring. Rockhouse will be appearing in clubs and festivals playing classic rock and writing original material for a future CD release.
Yet, even with all this excitement I'm a husband and father above "rockstar." If I fail my family and become a multi-platinum musician then I will have failed life. My wife is truly the Proverbs 31 wife. I am not complete without her. Our marriage is a work in progress and will always be. That's actually a good thing and keeps our days exciting! Viewing my high schooler's paintings and watching the youngest hit a ball and run is a reward beyond the music success. People will forget who plays for what band, but the evidence or lack thereof of my parenting and love for my wife will live on into the future. Music is a gift that is to be part of our family life and not seperated from it.
So, for everything to work requires a balance in life. Some days I accomplish this better than others. May we all find the balance that makes our life fulfilling.
Steve, Another Amazing year at AROTR has come and gone. Thanks for another Amazing show!! As always you guys Rock it out!! Brandon had a blast performing with you guys again this year. Hopefully I'll have the pictures up soon. Denise
You better drag your butt out to O'Niells at the end of June and rock it 80's style with us!!! Cecil says you better be there to get your watch that you left on his nightstand!!!!!!
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