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1. Where are you from originally?
I’m from Hobart, Indiana. It’s a small town about an hour Southeast of Chicago.
2. How did you decide to enlist in the U.S. Army?
I wanted more than what my hometown had to offer. I enlisted as combat engineer before becoming a Green Beret. I needed excitement, and the military gave me the chance to push myself, see the world, and be part of something bigger.
3. How did enlisting in the military change you?
It shaped everything about who I am today. My experiences—especially in combat and on deployment—gave me a different perspective on life, leadership, and what really matters. It also gave me a deep respect for the people I served with and a strong sense of responsibility, both in the military and outside of it.
4. How did you come about your music, were you always playing?
Music has always been a big part of my life. Both listening and playing were a huge coping mechanism. I started playing off and on when I was 14, but only recently found the courage to share my music. My style leans more toward acoustic rock, but my songwriting is deeply personal and reflects my experiences.
5. How do you continually tap into creativity? Is it from listening to music, meeting people, or experiencing other forms of art?
A lot of my creativity comes from real-life experiences—deployments, relationships, struggles, and memories. I also draw inspiration from other music, stories, and the emotions tied to my past. Sometimes, just sitting with my guitar and letting my mind wander is enough to spark something new.
6. What is a song or band that has really moved you?
Grunge and rock are big influences, and I gravitate toward raw, emotional songwriting. Bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam resonate with me because their music is honest and unfiltered.
7. Clearly, you are inspired by those who serve. How do you choose your subject matter when writing songs?
A lot of my songs come from my experiences in the military, but I don’t just write about war. I also write about love, addiction, loss, and identity—things that make us human. I want my music to be relatable, even to people who’ve never served.
8. What three words best describe your personality and how does it translate into your music?
Gritty, reflective, and honest. My music doesn’t sugarcoat anything—it’s raw and real, just like my experiences.
9. What three words best describe your body of work?
Authentic, emotional, and intense.
10. Who are some of your favorite musicians or songwriters?
I’m drawn to raw, emotional songwriting and powerful storytelling. Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, and Eddie Vedder are huge influences because of their honesty and intensity. Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Nirvana shaped my appreciation for grunge, while Johnny Cash stands out for his ability to tell real, unfiltered stories. I respect musicians who don’t hold back—who write and perform like they have something real to say.
11. What’s the last movie you saw of note?
Gladiator 2. It didn’t live up to the original, which is one of my favorite movies. The first Gladiator had a depth and impact that the sequel just couldn’t match. In my opinion.
12. What is the most important lesson you have learned in life so far?
Nothing lasts forever—good or bad. You’ve got to keep pushing forward, because time won’t wait for you.
13. Does your faith help you create?
Faith is complicated for me. I think about it a lot, and it definitely plays a role in my writing, but maybe more as something I wrestle with than something that directly guides me.
14. What motivates you?
The people I’ve lost. My late brother, Vinny, who passed away at 15 in a dirt bike accident. My grandma, Delores (Grandma Dee), who raised me. My team, my family, and the things I’ve survived. I don’t want to waste my time here.
15. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?
Right now, it’s my wife, pregnant with our first child, sitting on the couch with our two dogs snuggled up next to her. There’s something surreal about seeing the people (and dogs) you love most all in one place, safe and at peace. It’s a quiet moment, but it carries so much meaning—family, new beginnings, and everything ahead of us.
16. What’s your best talent?
Telling a story—whether it’s through music, lyrics, or just talking.
17. What’s your biggest weakness?
I can be a little insensitive at times—sometimes I dish out too much tough love when maybe what’s needed is a little more understanding. It comes from a good place, but I know not everyone responds to that kind of approach. I’m working on finding the balance between honesty and empathy.
18. Do you ever find yourself in a creative dry spell? If so, what do you do to find yourself again and create new music?
Yeah, it happens. When I hit a wall, I go back to my experiences—things I’ve written down, old memories, or just picking up my guitar and playing without thinking too much. Sometimes, I need to step away completely, let life happen, and come back with something real to say.
19. Talk a little bit about your songwriting process – from getting the idea to the finished song.
A song usually starts with an idea—sometimes a single lyric or a feeling. I might start playing around with chords until something clicks. Then I write, rewrite, and tweak until it feels right. Some songs come together fast, others take time. I try to let the story lead the way.
20. How do you challenge yourself in your music?
I push myself to write about things that scare me—things that are raw and uncomfortable or make me vulnerable. I also try to experiment with new ways of structuring songs, different tunings, and ways to make my sound more unique.
21. Best compliment you ever got about your music?
When someone tells me a song I wrote made them feel something real—that it put into words something they couldn’t explain. It “gave me chills,” is one of my favorites. That means more than anything.
22. If you had the chance to say anything to the world, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to face your demons, but don’t let them define you.
23. What’s your advice to other musicians and songwriters?
Write what you know. Be honest. Don’t try to be something you’re not—people can tell when you’re faking it.
24. What’s one professional or creative thing on your bucket list?
To release an album that feels like me—raw, real, and powerful. And to play a show where people sing my lyrics back to me.
25. What do you feel are the recurring themes in your songs? What is the world you are trying to create or magnify for your audience? What do you hope your music makes them feel?
I write about struggle, loss, redemption, and the weight of the past. I want my music to make people feel—whether that’s nostalgia, sadness, hope, or just a sense that they’re not alone in what they’re going through.
