I have been performing and teaching for the last ten years, making a decent living off of it, but I want to compose for film- you know, Hans Zimmer and all that. I think of all the obstacles; more schooling, composers studio and equipment, blah blah blah.

There is something, to the way I got into music. I got into it by just doing it. Plain and simple. Sometimes it just is that simple.

Thoughts on the Cayman Concert 2007 Part I

The Cayman concert, “A Flamenco Evening” was a success as well as an adventure. I’m really learning who I am and what my desires are inside of life, as well as music. Last year, when I worked on the American Gypsies show with Sandra, I learned quite a few things. One of the most important things I learned was to have a voice, validate my desires, and not to be afraid and take risks. Last year I didn’t do any of those things, and I reaped negative consequences for it. So, this year, when my cousin Rebekah called me and said we should put a concert on in Grand Cayman, I sensed that it would be a good opportunity to do a show that I felt represented who I am musically as well as personally.

I basically wanted to do a show that was centered around my compositions with dance as more of a secondary feature. An accent, if you will.

So, the first thing after making the decision to do it and picking dates was deciding who would perform with me. It was a no brainer to ask the Omar Miguel (guitar) to come. I have been playing with him consistently for almost 2 years and aside from having a great sense of rhythm, he is a great guy and we have a lot of fun playing together. After him, I didn’t hesitate to ask Josh Dampier (violin) and Ian (percussion) to come. Where risk entered the picture was in the fact that we did not have financial backing and the endeavor would take a substantial amount of up front money (or putting it on a card, in this case) to even get started. I have really been trying to be as proactive as I can in growing to know myself and in knowing God. Throughout this time, God has really revealed a lot to me about myself. One of the biggest things that have held me back is an unanswered question. John Eldridge, author of The Way of the Wild Heart articulates it really well. The core question every man asks is, “Am I enough, do I have what it takes?” I feel this is so true. Without this question being answered, a man will remain a boy. I have been wrestling with this question, and my fear of not knowing has held me back and I have for the most part not risked coming out of my comfort zone. I am still discovering this, but I have come to understand it as truly putting trust in God and through Him, I have what it takes.

Anyway, I decided to go for it, and I booked tickets for my wife Cheri, Omar, Josh, Ian and me. When it came to a dancer my first impulse was to bring Jason Martinez from New Mexico. The year before I met him through the American Gypsies project and we really clicked. Also, he is a solid cajon player and I really wanted a strong percussion base. I wavered a lot because this involved a lot more financial risk. One day I would say, “I really need dance for the show”, the next day I would say, “The show IS about the music, a dancer isn’t necessary.” But one of the things I love about Paco and Tomatito’s shows was the power the dance had to accentuate the music. So, I thought maybe about bringing a local dancer, but I knew that Jason would be the ideal. So, needless to say, he accepted the invitation and I booked his ticket.