Sometimes I sit back and over analyze things.  Sometimes I wonder if there is other Raza in East Nashville? Sometimes I look around the room at 3Crow and wonder what life is like for the strangers all around me. Are they singers, writers, actors?  I always hear of all these picture perfect family trees. Father was a touring musician and now you happen to be a touring musician. Parents were both Doctors and now you are on your way of becoming a Doctor. Father was a Pastor and a preacher and now you inherited the pulpit. Or maybe you were given an inheritance worth 2 life times. My parents came to Chicago with the clothes on their back, worked in factories and city jobs just to make ends meet. They never really said I could be anything I put my mind to. They never really told me to dream. They never really knew I loved music till I was about 18.  They did teach me one thing. It takes hard work and dedication to be successful at anything you put your mind to. Even tougher when you are a latino.  Tough love was the only love I knew…

When I came to Nashville I was warned of the overwhelming amount of singers and songwriters that are here. I was told one of 2 things would happen, I will either work my tail off and become the best songwriter/artist I can be or I will quit. I knew I needed to be in a city where art and music flourishes and dreamers dream the impossible.  I would be lying if i said I don’t get intimated by the amazing talent here in Nashville, but as a song writer myself, I believe I have something worth sharing thru my music. Something happens in a town like this though… You can easily be swallowed in the status quo culture that exists amongst a few. In Chi town that gets old, I am sure it does here to… You’re cool by who you know and not so much by what you can offer.  I realize that sometimes you need to know the right people to enter the music ent/social pipeline but I truly believe the best ground work for a successful artistic career is staying true to YOU.  Don’t buy into the hype nor lose yourself to it. Be who you are and create what is in your mind, heart and soul.  I enjoy being inspired by those who have worked hard and have overcome the challenges of being a new artist. I always reach out to those that are influencing our culture today in hopes that I can learn… Some will reach back out, frankly others don’t give a crap…

I don’t have a glamorous background nor a wealthy family tree but I do have  simple dream. A dream I’ve carried inside  since I can remember. Growing  up in the Pilsen  was pretty tough on the soul. It was hard to dream, but I knew inside there is always something more then the hood.  I’ve been blessed with some amazingly talented and genuine individuals that have encouraged  me & my crew on this new journey in Nashville. With just a year into Nashville, I was ready to bail on why we came here in the first place. But I am forever grateful for the friendships that continue to pour life into who we are as creatives here in Nashville. I’m also grateful for those who haven’t given me the time of day! You are the fuel that keeps me going.  I wouldn’t have it any other way…

For all the young artists out there in pursuit of a dream like myself, don’t be discouraged nor afraid. Do what you do best! You may feel lost in the city where you dream, but it’s meant to be that way for a season. You can’t find something that isn’t lost. I’ve been knocking on the wrong doors and hitting up the wrong crowd… As long as you do the work of creating, sometimes you just gotta let God orchestrate your steps and the people that are meant to be part of your journey.  It really works out better that way. I am learning that as I go. I am so glad to be lost in the city of Nashville! I love this town.

Hasta la Victoria Siempre…

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I usually dread the question, ” So what do you do?” It should be an easy answer right? Well, it’s kinda tough for  me. I came to Nashville to surround myself with other singer/songwriters to become better at it or maybe realize I suck at it. So far it’s been a great journey of growing in the art of music. I definitely enjoy performing my music live at local venues. Then I get this question, “So do you sing christian music?”  The reason I get this question is probably because I serve my church as a coordinator for one of our campuses and I really love being part of ministry.  Truth is I don’t really ever sing or perform at a Church. When I do perform you will most likely find me a the local bar or club singing to my friends and a few random strangers. I just prefer it that way. I don’t ever try not to be one or the other…I write what’s in my heart and my mind and play music to it.

My wife and I are actors. We have a few auditions that we go to monthly. Sometimes we score the gigs and sometimes we don’t. Our kids recently started auditioning as well. It’s just something we’ve always enjoyed doing and probably always will. Like many people, we have regular day jobs to pay the bills and our boy’s school. These are just a few of the many things  we do.

The problem is I get so wrapped up in the world of what I do sometimes, that I Identify myself by it. I am an actor, I am a singer/songwriter(like everyone in Nashville), I work for my church, I’m a blogger, I am this, I am that…Then BAM. I forget who I really am…Don’t get me wrong, I am not hating on what I do, I freakn love what I do, but it is not who I am. Sometimes I feel like I am back in High School. I am working hard to get noticed and in hopes to hang with the cool kids of the school. Become what I do, so I can enter the circle of social popularity. I realize networking  and marketing is a vital tool for any organization, company, product and movement.  Without a good solid plan, well… nobody will ever know what you do.  But I am learning  that what I do is not who I am. My true identity is found in the beginning of this journey. I am a regular dude, that loves God, love’s family and is grateful for life. I grew up in broken streets dreaming to someday be somebody. I am still trying to figure what that really means…  I get so lost in my projects  sometimes that I steal time from those I really love. Time I will never get back from my beautiful wife and my awesome boys.

A few nights ago I promised my boy I’d tuck him in to bed, but I got so tied up in what I do, that his eye’s closed before I could do so.  Every extra effort I put into what I do, was not worth missing out on that moment with my son. I love the genuine lessons  I learn from my kids. I can be the greatest songwriter ever, the best actor ever, the best filmmaker ever, the best church leader ever, the best communicator ever, the best____________ ever. But in the eye’s of those I love and love me back,  I am just a son, a father, a husband and a friend, everything else is just gravy

What matters most is who you are, not so much what you do. When you remain genuine to that everything else falls in place.

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Last night Reina and I went on a “Hot date.” Literally, it was a super hot evening. East Nashville’s FooBar was our destination.  When we arrived we realized the AC may not have been working at that venue. So for about an hr or so  it was blazing hot inside! On a cooler note, we got to see a great Chi town friend who sings with the band “Cory Chisel & The Wondering Sons.” Always great to run into friends in a new city! Adriel Harris is not only beautiful but has an amazing&Chill voice with an amazing talent on the keys as well. We don’t know Cory Chisel, but the dude has the coolest voice ever and lyrics that take you on a journey in every song.I totally did their vibe on stage..I guess we’ve become  fans!

I’ve seen and heard the band online but never live. It was definitely one of the coolest Live duo’s I have ever seen.  If you haven’t heard their music you have to! It was Haunting, heartbreaking, Soulful and Beautiful!

What new band or artist have you discovered recently?

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What record release are you anxiously waiting for?

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If you could tie a ton of balloons to your house and float away, where would you go?

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Next: Chicago Marathon? I just might take the challenge!

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As I wrestled with the idea of leaving my hometowm Chicago in 2007, my Dad’s words were the deciding factor. He said, “just close your eyes and go”. The only way I was going to find out if there was more to my life and my family was by taking a chance, and I did.

Yesterday when I picked up my boys from school Zion met me at the door of his classroom and showed me the amazing work of art he made. In “that moment” It felt as if Zion’s simple art piece spoke into my soul.  There is always more! There is always something new to be made! There is always a brand new day!

I am learning to stop measuring my future by my past. I am learning to stop comparing myself to who I was 5 yrs ago, to who I am today.  I am learning to think with a fresh approach, work with a blank canvas, and work my a$$ off for the life of my dreams, the life God designed for me and my crew to live. We can talk all day long about how screwed our past is, and why we don’t deserve _______________,  and for what!?  But we can talk about, where do we go from here?

So today I remind YOU! Your routine is temporary, but you gotta work for your dreams! Your past is done and over with.  You were created for more than that. So because of that I give you the Bird! It is a new day.

Has anyone given you the bird lately? Tell me about it!

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Diego, thanks for making me laugh with your silly jokes, thanks for asking 1,000 questions per day, thanks for reminding me of what really matters in life, thanks for having that late night bowl of cereal with me, thanks for telling me I am handsome and telling momma she looks beautiful, thanks for your loud laugh and silly smile, thanks for constantly singing my songs, thanks for praying for me, thanks for keeping it real with me, thanks for being such a great big brother, thanks for driving me nuts  and thanks for being my little buddy and sushi partner…We have many more memories ahead of us to write. Happy Birthday bro! I love you so much!
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Where will you be Easter Sunday?

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If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?