My mom used to sing a lot and taught me to sing harmony. She bought a piano and I started piano lessons at 7 yrs of age. Soon I was learning the top 40 radio stuff by ear and singing with the piano. At some point, I joined the school band as a drummer because the sticks and practice pad was only a few bucks and a one time purchase as opposed to buying or renting some other instrument. So I learned drums and percussion and was the only drummer in the school orchestra and the only white boy in the drum section of the HS Marching band. I didn't like the marching band and would miss the games so I was "punished" by being thrown out of the marching band..... gee shucks....!

I was going to a summer camp where the councilors would play acoustic guitars and sing Bob Dylan songs and other folk songs and I determined that the guitar was my real calling. So I asked my mom for a .22 rifle for my 14th birthday. I really wanted a rifle..... but my mom thought the rifle was a bit too dangerous and she told me no rifle. So, I selected the next thing on my wish list.......a guitar. So at 14 I got my first guitar. I'd come home from school and head to the bedroom and put records on and learn the chords and play along by ear. It didn't take long until I got an electric guitar and started a jam band with some friends. Little did my mom know the damage I would wrought with that guitar..... looking back, the rifle would probably have been the safer option.

So, I essentially grew up in a house where there was music all the time. We had records playing more than the TV would be on. I was encouraged to play music. My dad grew up in the depression and told me that if I could play the piano and guitar and sing, I could always use those talents to get a meal. Musta been some hard times in the 30's.

After growing up, I played in a few garage bands..... no gigs, but tons of fun..... then I started playing in better bands where I actually made some money..... tuxedo bands (hated those), country rock bands ( we starved), and a few bands that knew how to connect the dots on the business end. I actually made my living from music with a band for the better part of 3 years. No daytime job..... just work on music, practice with the band, go play gigs. Now that was a fun time. And yeah.... the money was really good as well so what's not to like about that?

After that band, I took a few daytime jobs and got a call to play in a house band. A house band will ruin you. It was easy..... close to home, no set-up tear-down, no late night drive home, and good money. I played there for 2.5 years until I saw the signs the end was near. At that point I started buying studio gear and started working on writing and recording more than I had because the technology was starting to fall into place at affordable prices.

Long story short..... BiaB and Sonar..... here I am.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.