“I lived in a house full of wrestlers and musicians in college in Dubuque, Iowa. We all wrestled on the team and played music. They were always playing around me, so I picked up a harmonica. It was cheap, and I could play while riding my skateboard to class. We lived close to campus, and I’d cruise around playing. I started going to open mics, and then our house started a band. We got paid, and I thought, ‘Wait, I can make money just making noise? That’s pretty cool.’

Once I got that first paycheck, I was hooked. I loved the music, but if I could make some money doing it on weekends, even better.

I double majored in neuroscience and psychology. I was going to grad school for occupational therapy, but decided to take a year off to study for the GRE and play music. I kept playing music and never went to grad school.

I would throw on backing tracks and play harmonica at the farmers market in Dubuque. Playing for four or five hours, just working it out. I had this little balance board and figured I could use it while I played. It worked: people tipped me more. 

I started going to other people’s shows and asking if I could sit in. A lot of times, they’d let me play one song, then keep me on for the rest of the gig. I kept getting better. Eventually, I was playing with ten different people in that little river town on the Mississippi. By the time I graduated, I was making enough money to cover my bills. My mom died when I was 14, but my dad was still trying to help. I told them to stop sending money because I’ve got this.

The guy I played with the most in Dubuque moved to Nashville. I followed him down six months later and started playing around there. Then COVID hit, and I had to do weed-whacking for work. I hated it.

As things started opening back up, I came down to play a show at the Flora-Bama with a friend. I played with everybody. Every band I saw, I walked up and asked to play a song with them. Most said yes. I’d play one song, and they’d tell me to stay for the whole gig. People down here were just friendly.

 I practiced a lot by myself, but what really helped was playing with people who were way better than me. That’s my rule—only play with people who are stupid good. They don’t always want me there at first; I can see the doubt in their eyes. Sometimes I play one song and never play with them again. I wasn’t good enough. I don’t approach those folks again until I feel ready. Now I research people and learn the songs that have harmonica before I approach to play. 

This tattoo is my cheat sheet—music theory in a nutshell. It helps me figure out which harmonica to use and how to find the right key. I am always conscious of what is going on so I don’t play over someone. 

The first person who really brought me in was Wes Loper. I got passed around and kept coming down. I moved here three years ago and met more folks. Johnny Hayes and Justin Jeansonne have been good to me. I’m playing with Justin at the Wharf on July 3rd. We’re opening for the Red Clay Strays. We’ll open for them again at Red Rocks in September. These are the biggest crowds I have ever played for–playing bigger stages gives me goosebumps. It’s my dream.

Nashville didn’t take a chance on me. Maybe I wasn’t ready. Moving here was sink or swim, and I swam. I’m paying the bills by playing harmonica. Not many people can say that.”