How Did I Get Started Into Music?

I still remember the day. I came home from school and my dad had music blaring through the speakers. As looked up at the turn table, I noticed the album cover. It was 4 weird guys with makeup making dark music. But more importantly, the one guy had a strange blue hue around him and dripping with blood. He looked like a demon. It scared me to death. And in my head that day I decided. I want to be as cool as these guys.

For those that don’t know, what I looked at was the cover of the Kiss Alive 2 album. And Gene Simmons was the one dripping the fake blood. But from then on I was hooked. And from then on I was trying to find anything I liked or thought was cool to listen to.

My next music that hit me came soon after. But this time it came in the form of something very different. The movie “Eddie And The Cruisers”. Little did I know at that time, the actual band that did the music was “John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band“. And even though I loved Kiss, these songs had deeper meaning. And a very soulful rhythm.

So I tried learning everything I could from my music teachers in school. I stole my mom’s guitar. And I went on a mission. I was going to play guitar. And at first I wasn’t going to learn to sing to it as well. After all, that’s really hard to sing “AND” play. But I eventually did.

It was Christmas! And I finally got it! A little boom box and recorder that my parents bought me. As well as some blank tapes. I don’t think I had it an hour before I started recording myself telling stupid stories and mumbling words. But more importantly, I could get some music to listen to on my own. Some of my first tapes were Cinderella, Bon Jovi, Ozzy, and Tesla. And it didn’t take me long before I started exploring my own music tastes. Music by Queensryche, Dream Theater, Megadeth, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Faith No More, were and still are huge parts of my music and playing. And I became addicted to music, and discovering more.

Fast forward to the present, and I can say my musical taste is more countless then my time. Now, artists like Shinedown, Sick Puppies, Breaking Benjamin, Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, Avatar, Skindred, Skillet, Sevendust, Linkin Park, Andy Grammer and tons more are on my rotation. I like to think of music as a buffet. And I’m not shy to try anything. This seems to come across in my playing and writing. Just a tad all over on style.

I also have had a honor to play with a ton of musicians. Fred Sayler, Dave Baker, Wade Schrank, Ben Sawatzke, Kim Sawatzke, Bruce Veneziani, Joseph Kronaizl, Kevin McLouth, Bill Flynn, Laurriee Bentson, Rick Hamm, Randy Williams, Todd Hughes, Joni Hughes, Dane Boeckman, Ian Kotrous, Cody Gramkow, Kyle Kruse, Justin ‘Roach’ Rothschadl, Victor Faini, Colby Davis, LeAnn Kay, Thomas Curl, Joshua Pratt, Billy Ray Kaul, Dean Kaul, Paul Hanson, Connie Tjeerdsma, Teri Lee Vannoort, Lawrence Namminga, Dan Rogan, Darren Schlechter, Kyle Orth, Gwen Van Gerpen, Jeremy Ritter, Joyce Romkema, Linda Kronaizl, and so many more than I can name. Know to all of the people listed, and to all the ones that aren’t, I will always remember. And know you are a part of me.

But this list really wouldn’t be complete without my beautiful wife and family. Who support me under good times and bad. And lead me down the path of music to begin with. And are the reason I still keep trying. Love you all.

And thank You! For taking the time to read this. I hope you take the time to look around the website. Read the articles. And enjoy the Music.

Jeremy Bertrand