School Photo Project

This photo represents me as an individual in multiple ways. This was a performance I had this past weekend at The Listening Room Cafe. The first and most obvious reason this photo represents me, is the performing aspect. I have been pursuing a music career for over seven years now and absolutely adore it till this day. Every chance I have the opportunity to share part of my story with others using my musical gift, it is a complete honor and joy. I write predominately folk inspired music where I discuss topics such as inner peace, self worth, and love in my lyrics. Songwriting and performing is something I’ve done since I was a child, so it was only normal for me to choose this photo to represent who I am as a person. As silly as it may sound, my hat and overall ascetic represents me as well. I have always been infatuated with Dolly Parton’s get up and overall dress, as well as artists like Joni Mitchell or Cher. These ladies were never afraid to wear what they wanted and express themselves sometimes in the most loud and flamboyant ways! Most of my performances I wear my Brixton wide brimmed hat, flare jeans, and a thrifted one-of-a-kind sort of shirt. The instrument I am playing also is a huge component in my life. I play many instruments, but guitar is predominately my choice of accompaniment. The brands I typically use are Gretsch Guitars, and Taylor Guitars. I remember being invited to my first ever NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) where I had the incredible opportunity of meeting with the creators of my favorite guitars and being able to work with them as an artist. Companies such as Kyser Capos, Elixer Strings and Dunlop Picks have all sponsored me throughout my career, helping me along as a independent artist. That being said, it is a complete joy and honor to play some of the wonderful instruments that I have been able to receive. Music is something that creates a deep meaning to most insignificant things in life to me. What some may perceive as just another hard moment, or cast away memory, is something to be written about, performed and heard. The ability to craft a story within a few short minutes and proclaim it to the world is truly something peculiar and fascinating.

This image was taken in downtown Franklin, just streets away from my home on my social networking site, Twitter. Franklin plays a huge role in my life. At the tender age of fourteen, my family and I picked up all we had in our home of Tampa Bay, Florida, and moved to Franklin, Tennessee. I began pursuing music full time here, playing regularly at Puckett's and Mellow Mushroom in downtown, then all around the Nashville area. I have never lived in a place that has felt so much like home. The friendships that I have grown here in this little town have shaped me as a person and musician. From the festivals to the local music and art scene, this town is nothing short of magical. I have been so grateful of the support from my community. I play almost every year at pumpkin fest and the art crawl on an ongoing basis. The local stores in downtown such as Imago Dei and Fruit of the Spirit have all sponsored me for my performances and photoshoots I’ve done in the area. I volunteer at Our Thrift Store where half of my closet is from as well! I buy my books and perform frequently at Landmark Booksellers! All that being said, I feel many people people in town cheering me on along the way in my musical journey. Outside of my music career, there have been individuals who have helped me out of dark times in this town. I go to a therapy house called “Porters Call” where they give free therapy to musicians. My therapist Beth has helped me out of some of the darkest times in my life— I am so incredibly grateful for her. My home church, “Church of the City” is a beacon of hope and encouragement to my heart daily. I have been leading worship on and off for years, but I have never encountered God in the way that I do in this place during worship. I feel Him in the room, longing to interject on the lives of those He loves; moving and making away sometimes even in the most difficult personal trauma. I have witnessed my heart drastically change since moving to downtown Franklin for the better. Life is never perfect, and there is certainly no utopian place to live, but I have to say, my experience in this town has been pretty darn close. This is not to say that there aren't condescending, arrogant, un-accepting people here in this town— heck, theres a whole lot of them here. But the Lord has surrounded me with a community of individuals who raise their friends up with such excitement and glee. I often have to pinch myself that I live here. I am eternally thankful.

Both stories have similarities in the sense that they are encouraging and informative about my life and interests. The difference between them is there two different things I love: Music, and Franklin. The first photo I shared was on Instagram, and the second twitter. I suppose Instagram gives me the opportunity to express my likeness towards something; where as twitter only gives me so many words to proclaim.