I started playing my Grandfather’s piano when I was about 7 years old and figured out how to play several traditional songs and songs that I created.  My parents rewarded me with piano lessons and a retrofitted player piano that was spray painted in white with gold speckles all over it.  I pounded on that thing for many years and learned how to navigate around all of the keys that cumulatively broke as a result of the pounding process.  One afternoon, I hit a most penetrating note that caused the wire rims around my glasses to spontaneously rupture.

As I grew up, I always wanted to be in a rock band.  While I was going to college, I continued to play the piano almost every day, jammed with friends, and listened to a lot of loud rock music.  As is the case with many college students, I was dirt poor and looked forward to graduating, getting a professional job and making some real money.  My plan was to save up the real money so I could quit my professional job and devote my time and energy to being in a rock band.  However, when I graduated and started a professional career making over $5 an hour (real money!), my rock band dreams were supplanted by my desire to purchase food and various material items.

25 years later, a friend of mine told me that he was in a rock band named Custom Neon that was in need of a keyboardist.  I sat into a practice one evening, and was able to convince the band members that adding me to their band wouldn’t appreciably undermine the quality of their work.  I’ve been enjoying the musical company of these guys and fulfilling my rock band dreams ever since, and fortunately, did not have to sacrifice my ability to purchase food and various material items.

Listen to Jim:

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