Starting this July, I’m kicking off The Wednesday Chronicles — a fresh series of blogs hitting your screens every Wednesday. This is Series 1, where we’ll dive deep into the true meaning of music: from the roots to the riffs, the legends to the stories. Each installment will explore everything that makes music a powerful force in our lives.

Music has always been more than just background noise for me — it’s been the fuel, the calm, and the energy behind everything I do. From the dusty cassette tapes I wore out as a kid to the satellite radio blasting in my work truck today, the soundtrack that built my life tells a story of two worlds: country roots and rock’s raw power.

Growing Up Country

Back in my early years, it was all country music at home. That was the sound we lived by — the twang of steel guitars, heartfelt stories, and singers like Don Williams and Vern Gosdin. I eventually dove into my parents’ albums, discovering gems like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, and the Eagles’ greatest hits. But country stayed front and center, especially Don Williams, who became a huge influence.

I remember one birthday in 1978, gifts wrapped up in the corner with family around, and through the wrapping paper, I could see the Grease album I begged for. I wasn’t much of a dancer, but that album still holds a special place with me today.

First Concerts and Growing Rock Roots

I still remember going to a concert at the University of Utah Auditorium — Conway Twitty and Ronnie McDowell. We got their autographs on ball caps, and that was a big deal. At the same time, I was discovering the world beyond country.

Summer camping trips up in La Plata, Utah, introduced me to new sounds. Some logging friends had the cassette of Abracadabra by the Steve Miller Band, and that’s how I first heard it. We didn’t get many radio stations up there, but after dark, with a clear sky, we could catch an AM station from Oklahoma — hundreds of miles away. Those nights, with the music floating through the air and miles of open sky around us, made me realize how far a song could travel — and how far I was willing to go chasing mine.

New Roads & New Records: Texas and the Next Chapter

In the mid-’80s, life shifted. My parents divorced, my mom remarried, and we moved to Dallas, Texas. It was a big change, but my love for music grew stronger. I spent hours digging through record stores in Richardson, Texas… and wandering malls, hunting for albums and feeding my growing knowledge.

That’s when rock really started taking over. I went back to bands like Led Zeppelin and The Who, and soon Judas Priest and Iron Maiden came blasting into my life. I could appreciate the newer rock of the early ’80s, but it was the 1976-1978 era that really inspired me — a turning point in rock history that still resonates with me today.

Louder and Live: The Concerts That Changed Everything

One of my first big rock concerts was Deep Purple at Dallas Reunion Arena. That show lit a fire in me. But the concert that truly cemented everything was Ronnie James Dio at the same arena.

Dio wasn’t just a singer — he was a legend. His voice carried weight, and his presence electrified the crowd. Opening act Dokken and Don Dokken warmed up the audience, but once Dio hit the stage, the whole room shifted. That night left a mark. Dio became my favorite, a true force in my music life.

Following the Trail of Dio

After the concert, I picked up Dio’s debut solo album, Holy Diver, and soon after, The Last in Line. I never could decide which one I liked better — both were monsters. Then, while digging through record stores, I found Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath, with Dio on vocals. That album became, and still is, my absolute favorite.

I found Heaven and Hell by following Dio backwards, chasing his trail through record stores. That journey shaped much of my musical identity.

The Dual Soundtrack: Country and Rock Side by Side

If someone asked me my favorite bands, I’d mention Dio, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin… and then throw in Don Williams and Vern Gosdin. Most folks think I’m joking, but I’m serious. It’s not about genre — it’s about feeling. Whether it’s steel guitar or screaming guitar solos, if it hits my heart, it belongs.

I never abandoned my country roots, but rock gradually took the wheel. One day I’d be listening to Don Williams, the next I’d be cranking Dio at full volume. Both sides made me who I am.

Studying the Zeppelin Way

My Led Zeppelin days were strong. Without the internet, I spent hours in record stores, flipping through albums and reading liner notes. Eventually, I could tell you which album every song belonged to — a skill I’m not sure I could match today. Back then, you had to earn your music knowledge.

From Vinyl to Satellite: Keeping the Music Flowing

My love of music kept growing. In 2007, I signed up for SiriusXM, and since then, it’s been blasting in my work truck. It’s where I get fed the freshest tunes and the classics — my personal music lifeline.

Music: The Fuel That Keeps Me Rolling

Even as streaming takes over, music remains everything to me. It’s more than just songs on a playlist — it’s been a constant companion through every twist and turn. Music has shaped who I am, helped me grow, and kept me steady when life threw curveballs. It’s part of my work, my rides, my downtime, and my joy.

Without music, I wouldn’t be the same man on the road or in life. It feeds my soul, fuels my passion, and keeps my mind sharp. It’s not just a hobby — it’s a lifeline. Every note, every lyric, every riff has helped write the story of my life.

Music hangs around me like a shadow — everything I do, say, or think is tied to a lyric, a riff, or a band. It’s more than just sound; it’s a strong presence woven deep into my life. It flows through my words, my actions, and my mindset, keeping the good vibes alive and shaping who I am.

Music isn’t something I just listen to — it’s part of me. It’s woven into every moment I live and every mile I ride.

Challenge me on ’70s country or ’80s rock and country — I’m loaded with goofy nuggets and stories that’ll make you smile, think, and maybe even tap your boots or bang your head. This isn’t just a stroll down memory lane; it’s a full-on jam session with some fun, some grit, and a whole lot of heart.

Stay tuned — from rock to country and everything in between, I’ll be bringing you stories, sounds, and legends that shaped my journey — just like the wheel in the sky keeps on turning.