Wave of Grace

This last year has been quite a journey to say the least. It has been filled with extreme lows, followed by extreme highs and everything in between.

A little over a year ago now, on August 6th, 2011, my older brother Nick was killed while on a mission in Afghanistan.  He was a Navy SEAL working with SEAL team 6 and was aboard a chinook that was shot down during battle.

I used to talk to Nick about wanting to play a few of the songs I had written for him and his teammates.  I was asked to play for the West Coast Memorial service to honor all the men who had died when the helicopter was shot down.  I never expected that I would be playing my songs in a situation like that.  I performed “Citadel” and the “The Champion”, and found that I was riding a wave of grace as I prayed through the music.   That wave has not slowed down.  I had no idea that playing at that memorial would continue to bring other tremendous blessings.

Prior to the memorial I was introduced to a man who had worked with Nick.  He and his wife were at the memorial and thought that a good friend of theirs would really like my music.  Turns out that their friend is Ben Harper, one of my earliest influences and most admired artists. Ben was playing a show in San Diego shortly after the memorial and my brother’s friends told him about me.  A few months later, on my birthday (as providence would have it)  Ben contacted me.

Since then, I was able to visit Ben in Los Angeles, at his most generous invitation, and we have stayed in touch as our schedules have allowed.  He has been very gracious towards me and it has been an honor to get to know him a little better.

A few days ago, I was out for a drink with friends and got a phone call from Ben.  It is always great to hear from him and I feel very honored that he has asked me to be the opener for the first five shows of his acoustic tour!

The first show is in Ann Harbor, then will go to Michigan on September 26th, followed by Chicago Sept. 27th, Toronto, Canada Sept. 29th, Montreal, Canada Oct. 1st and Burlington, Vermont Oct. 2nd.

What a journey!  And this only been a piece of the many good things that have happened.  I feel very grateful and blessed.  And look forward to what is to come.