Jelene
Fate--its marvelous twists and turns--where a chance meeting, a sudden impulse, a word of encouragement (or discouragement)can change a person's life. That's how I came to The Other Side.
I've loved music all my life but I was usually at the receiving end of it. Most of my performances were singing songs on the radio while driving alone in my car, singing hymns in church or hamming it up during family karaoke nights. I acquired my first guitar when I was in junior high. It was a bright red, electric Holiday guitar (see photo below) from the Alden's catalog. I used the paycheck from my first job to get it. I'd strum the chords to my favorite Beatles, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary and Simon & Garfunkel songs and sing while in my room. I still have those music books.
I finally bought an acoustic guitar after I got out of college. I still play that Morris guitar. Unfortunately, it sat in a closet most of the time until the summer of 2002 when I decided I needed to take a more creative path along life's journey. Let's see, art class?...maybe, pottery?...oils or watercolors?...music?...maybe, pick up that old guitar again?
A month or so after starting to play the guitar again I noticed a familiar face, Sarah Flint, performing in Peoples Park during a summer concert series. Years ago I had worked with her at an Indiana University office. After her performance, I came over to say "Hi" and during our conversation, I found out that she taught guitar. I took weekly lessons for several years and also participated in some biweekly jam sessions. That's when I first met Kurt. I met David in another guitar class and he helped us out by playing bass. Joe joined the group in the summer of 2005.
I love playing music with these talented guys! What's important is we have fun and we've gotten so much pleasure in writing and playing our own music. Give us a listen sometime and remember to take a few alternate paths, a few twists and turns, in your life...you'll never know where it might lead.
My Gear: 1973 Rickenbacker 360 with Fender 1965 Deluxe Reverb reissue amp, a Boss Blues Driver Pedal, an ESP-50 LTD bass with Peavey Minx amp and a 2001 Fender 60's Telecaster autographed by The Doves
My Links:
My
First Composition "Foxhole Faith"
My Sister-in-law's Soundclick Song Page (Nicci Hampton) My Cousin's Home Page (Rob Arthur) He's the REAL musician in the family and we're very proud of him!