At 18, I bought my first guitar (an Ibanez Acoustic Jam pack for all you gear geeks out there) and started taking lessons. Oh man was I horrible! But I stuck it out! I credit my teacher Tim Brooks and the music I listened to, that helped me become a strong, very rhythmic player. I also learned to use many different voicings (the capo is my friend!). I tried to form a band, but it did not go anywhere except my living room.
In 1997, I started hosting playing parties at my apartment, where I showcased my material. I finally got a gig at Cafe Felice in Cuyahoga Falls in 1998, where I played regularly until it closed. Armed with my own songs, along with tunes from John Hiatt, Oasis, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Refreshments, The Beatles (not to mention my buddy Mike Searl on bass) I ended up having min rock extravaganzas.
In the fall of 1999 I met Noah Grieco and formed Suns Of Saturn with me on lead guitar, my buddy Mike again on bass, and Evan Wolfe on drums. Suns Of Saturn filled the rock void for me. The coffee shop shows stopped (some people were mad). We did always have acoustic solo sets, where I stepped up and sang some tunes. We cut a self titled EP, and sold them everywhere we went. We played a lot of shows, met a lot of cool bands, and played some crap bars too. Three Miles Out was the best band we played with. They put on a great show, and are just great guys. We made some appearances (no pun intended) on radio stations 88.9 in Streetboro, and 92.3 Cleveland where we were happy to play acoustic versions of our tunes.By the fall of 2002, we were all fighting with each other, and threatening to quit. After a lot of talking, we decided to take a break. We all had life changes occurring. I have not spoken to Evan since then, we have just fell out of touch. Noah and Mike and I have jammed and been together a few times, we even played an open mic night. All our lives are going in different directions. We had something special.. I love those guys, and they are talented men. I count myself lucky to have worked with them. Who knows, maybe a reunion? guys, what ya think?
In the fall of 2003, I fell upon Fallscreek Community Church. Up until this point I have ha a void that I could not fill. I was searching for something (turns out to be God, not to ruin the ending) There I found Tim Hill, who was the worship leader, and he drug me into the band kicking and screaming. This man taught me how to worship God, and that music was my thing.. my connection to God. Over the next year and a half, I played guitar, and worked closely with the band. Tim left the church after 5 months, to move to Texas (where his fiancee lived). This point I stepped up and helped out. The praise band there is a wonderful group of guys.
In the fall of 2004, I had a life changing event. I lost my wife, my way of life, my future, everything. That's when God showed up (well, that's when I finally paid attention). I learned a lot about humility, and grace during that time. It completely changed me.
November 2004, I formed my new band ShiningSouls. I play guitar and sing, Erin Germann is on vocals, Becca Reynolds is on vocals, Steve Hickman plays bass and sings, John Bender on drums, and Todd Smith is on guitar. Started out as an out reach praise band.The current version of ShiningSouls plays Praiz! at Fallscreek Community Church every Sunday night @ 6:30.
Summer 2005, I took my offiicial position at Sanctuary, A Community Of Christ Followers as Experiential Architect / Worship Leader. My buddy Tim Hill is the Lead Pastor. Public launch has not happened yet, but discovery gatherings have. In January 2007, Sanctuary started going through re-structuring, at which point.. I stepped away.
At this point, I am working on material for my next project titled Holding on to Let Go. It's been a long road to tell this story, but it is one thatIi need to tell. Tenative fall release.
-Seth