24

Hi all! Iss mah birfday! And like most folks on their birthdays, I have been reflecting on the past year of my life. I really couldn’t be any happier or more blessed. I have a successful new business, I have an amazing group of friends and supporters, I have an amazing church, I have a family that loves me… I’m just super blessed. And I don’t deserve it.

In 2009 I had a mini-freakout. I was 23 and about to turn 24. I was working a 9 to 5 that I hated and I hadn’t accomplished any of the goals I had set for myself musically. Out of the ashes of said freakout, I wrote the song “24” (<shamelessplug>from the album “Rearranged”, released October 7th, 2011</shamelessplug>).

I spent my whole life trying to be this rockstar dude. I always thought my calling was to play in front of bajillions of people and make quadrillions of dollars with my music – recording albums and playing on stage. It wasn’t until I surrendered myself and MY plans in favor of what GOD had in store for me that I ever found true happiness and fulfillment.

Awhile back all of my music equipment, my music collection, and my recording studio was stolen from me. To make matters worse, at this time I was completely broke. This was back when recording was just a hobby. I had never thought about pursuing music production as a career. I started feeling compelled and driven to purchase my studio back. I didn’t care about anything else – none of the other stolen “stuff” mattered. I was having dreams about running a studio and felt in my gut that I just HAD to get my studio back immediately. I couldn’t tell you why. I spent several weeks praying about it and then one day, I went to Guitar Center and saw they had a 12 months no interest, no payments plan. So I bought a reasonably nice little studio on faith alone.

Within a couple of weeks I had FIVE clients asking if I could help them record an album. At this point I hadn’t even broadcast the fact that I had a recording studio! Most of these people I didn’t even know at the time. I thought, “Wow! I’ll be able to pay off the studio within a year with all of these clients!” Less than a week later, the company I worked for was bought out. Stock options (that I didn’t even know that I HAD) paid out and covered the entire cost of the studio – nearly to the dollar! I knew at that point that I needed to produce. I sold my house, quit my 9 to 5 on May 28, 2012 and here we are.

So that’s the Cliff Notes version of my story. My first three months have been very successful. I’m significantly less stressed, more fulfilled and happier than I’ve ever been in my life.

Friends and family, thank you for all you do. Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for encouraging me, supporting me, comforting me and being there for me when during the dark periods of my life. I love you more than you will ever know. Here’s to year 27. For better or worse, it’s gonna be a fun ride.

Matt