Mid-Year

36 Shows ago.

2,700 songs ago.

108 Hours of playing ago.

It’s the end of June 2026 and I’ve just uploaded all of the core memories so far this year.
We are just at the half-way point for this year in music. What started as a fun challenge to out-do last year (2025) has taken this little thing to places I never imagined. to people I’d never met. To logistics I’d never encountered. To exhaustion I couldn’t have dreamed of. To joy I’d only ever prayed for. It’s not the middle of the schedule, only the middle of the year. That said, let’s answer this year’s top Q’s.

Some Mid Year Q/A

Q: When did you start playing live?

A: 2020 officially. 100% split credit to Amanda Hasenfuss Hoy and Jamie Nichols. Two coaches I will never forget. One gave me the confidence to try it and the other the help I sorely needed. The pandemic put a hold on pursuing it very hard. I picked back up April of 2025 after my dear wife supported this wild idea.

Q: Where do you play?

A: I am a Virginian and I love this place. Anywhere within 2 hours of Richmond and I’m there. Any more than that and the logistics turn into mental gymnastics.

Q: Is this your full time gig?

A: Nope. I work full-time and more for the best IT Services company in the world and have since 2007.

Q: What’s your favorite part of live gigging?

A: Frankly, people. The kids running around, the families out having fun. It’s a very joyful thing and cheaper than therapy.
Also the repulsive amount of food consumed after a show. I don’t eat much before a show so after work, it’s on like the my time in San Juan, mi eho.

Q: What do off-days look like?

A: Chores, my brother. And practice. My wife is a saint and is the glue and the wheels and all the other metaphors for support. If you’ve never heard Lindsay’s first hit single “It’s a boy job” it’ll be viral any minute. I love cutting grass and being outside. So, a lot of that. Crowd requests for new songs are also high on the list. A new song takes a day to learn and arrange usually and I prioritize that.

Q: Do you have any more (cartoon) stickers?

A: Yes. Lindsay stocks stickers for the kiddos and we love to keep them happy. If you’re bringing the little ones, and you need something to keep em occupied come to the stage. We’ve got some freebies for ya.

Q: How do you pick your setlist?

A: The science is real. There are about 75 songs in each show. While most bar owners want 120% uppers all night (Girl, same!) There’s a momentum that we need to hit. Mixing up the genres, the decades, the artists and the vibe is a feel thing. Requests are fun and (always) encouraged. What you want to hear is most important to me. Sometimes a cool down song is nice. But that rage bait Metal Militia banger from 2006 is all it takes to get everyone home early. The hits are required. The uppers are encouraged. The night is yours.