006 : Deano Brown & Playing Fiddle Where the Green Grass Grows

Nick talks with his long-time road brother, Deano Brown, about the power of music and playing fiddle for one of country music's biggest stars.

Deano explains his journey from bring a young kid who refused to give up, to now being one of Tim McGraw's lead musicians.
Deano shares the band's journey working together on the road, encouraging each other to be the best versions of themselves, working out "gorilla style," and ultimately doing what they love while giving everyone else a chance to escape reality.

In the episode, Deano performs Brightest Stars, a song he wrote with a group of friends about struggles and hardships and how sometimes when we are at our worst, we often are able to find the best in us.   

Follow Deano: 

• Instagram: @deanodhd
• Twitter: @fiddlindeano
• Website: fiddlindeano.com
• Music: reverbnation.com/deanossongs

Brightest Stars (Co-Writers):

• Deano Brown
• Trafton Harvey
• Quinn Loggins

Help us keep the music alive in the covid struggles - MusiCares Relief Fund: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund

RECORDED: April 17, 2020

EPISODE VIDEO VERSION: YouTube.ChooseYourAttitude.com

Podcast Email: Podcast@ChooseYourAttitude.com
Podcast Website: Podcast.ChooseYourAttitude.com
Support and donate to the Show: SupportPodcast.ChooseYourAttitude.com

FOLLOW US ON:
Facebook: @ChooseAttitudeCreateLife
Instagram: @ChooseAttitudeCreateLife

Transcript

spk_1:   0:04
welcome to choose your attitude. Create your Life, a podcast inspired by Brianna Os Strand, a superhuman, a hero who showed the world what it's like to live life to the fullest. Diagnosed at age three, she dragged around cystic fibrosis and later of pesky superbug, not letting anything get in the way of fulfilling a life. Some could only dream of a death sentence of age 13. She packed a full life legacy that her body just couldn't keep up with. After 29 years of life. In May 2017 her journey was over. But her legacy continues and is followed by many. Her widower and author of Loving Someone Who Is Dying lives off her inspiring story and hopes to help others live such a full and inspiring life. And is the energy behind this podcast in her own words. Choose your attitude, create your life. And now here's your host, Nicolas Strand. All

spk_2:   1:04
right, everybody. A welcome to the Choose your attitude podcast streaming at podcast that choose your attitude dot com. This episode also has a video version that you confined and subscribe at YouTube dot Choose your attitude dot com The video very version usually airs about a week after this podcast airs on a welcome everybody and I'd loved welcome Dino with, Ah, Tim McGraw. Rahu. I have actually ah, toured with a couple of times. Welcome to the show, Dino. Thank you.

spk_0:   1:36
Thank you. Nick. Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure. It's an honor.

spk_2:   1:39
Yeah, for sure. I mean, Dino and I, we worked. Ah, he was actually on my, um my first tour was rush and right after rush was actually 2010. Southern voice to her. Uh, yeah, well, we work together. Um, so and then we actually ah, did another tour, most recently, but I'm not going to talk about that one. Yeah, I want to kind of dig into, Ah, you as an individual and how you kind of got started in music. And, um ah, kind of what instruments you play. And, um, how you kind of got involved with Tim McGraw on Ah, that

spk_0:   2:17
Sherman, Um you know, I started playing music when I was about eight years old. In third grade. Just a middle school. We had some high school students come to our middle school Teoh kind of recruit, you know, for the for the high school year, you know, And the blue, the wooden and stringed instruments is kind of spoke to me. We had a orchestra quartet come to our music class and they all played a little piece. And, uh, that violin just, you know, the fact that it's hand made from wood and it stood the test of time, you know, for centuries has been been with us in musical format. And so I just thought, Man, that's that's a pretty nice instrument. And, um, I stuck with it, you know, um chose to play music over sports. I was was a music nerd, you know, was asked several times to play football. But, you know, I didn't want to hurt my hands. And and, uh, just it wasn't my deal. It wasn't my bag. So I stuck with with strings and music, and, um, about when I was about 13 years old, One of my friends in the apartment complex he lived in Hey could hear a country band kind of practicing in one of the apartments down below. And he knew I had just kind of fallen into the fiddling aspect of the violin and He kind of gave me a little advice, A little little motivation to go check out this band. And I did. And they gave me an audition and, you know, I got it. And that was when I was 13. So I was playing in bars and clubs from, you know, my early high school years. I was raised from a single parent family, so I was fortunate enough to be able to help my mom. Um, you know, keep our our family going and keep everybody fed. So learned from an early age that, you know, music also gives us something, you know, to our heart and soul. But it can also put bread on the table and help more ways than one. So just hung with it, just choose. Just chose to stick with it. And, uh, you know, despite all of the even when I moved from Austin to Nashville, I had several friends say, Man, you know, used to be a little fish in a big pond. And I said, Well, you know, I'll be a fish. I'll be catches or being made. So moved to Nashville. Um, look, backtrack about two years like I was selling boots and jeans and in Austin, Texas, and playing clubs at night and have a little break to come up to Nashville and check it out. A buddy of mine head just before that recently moved and had met some really cool people. He thought that I would hit it off with one of them being this young artist named Tim McGraw. And, um so my buddy Shane said, We'll pick you up at the airport and Tim and Shane picked me up at the airport and I met Tim right there on the fly. He had just signed his curb recording, recording artist deal and kind of skeptical about what the future was. But on my return home, he was, He said, Man, if if this thing takes off and I'm able to afford another musician, I would really love toe. Have you, you know, place. It'll hold hands and sing background. I was like, man cool. And, um, you know, you hear that a lot. You get a lot of complete people, you know, Stick around. Let me let me see what happens when we'll get you on. Well, I took his words. I went home back to Austin and grabbed my wife. And whatever little money we had in the bank and our two cats, and we drove up here to Nashville, that was in 94 or 92. I'm sorry. Um, I began working with him in the 94. He, uh he, uh we were actually opening for Tim in the band I was working with open for Tim in Denver, Colorado,

spk_2:   6:08
a

spk_0:   6:08
place called the Grizzly Rose. And that night, um, Tim Say, man, you ready to go go to work? Yeah, sure. Let's do it. You know, And so that was about 25 years ago, you know? And we've been, uh, playing music together. I've been so fortunate to be in the spot that I've been in. He's given us, you know, the opportunity to be on four studio records. Wow. Has always encouraged us to be who we are. You know, he's always told us Take, take the stage away from you, do your show, and you try and take the stage away from me. And so it's always been straight out fun, you know, have a good time. Balls to the wall. Go have a good time and So Yemen. Uh, you know, I definitely feel like the right place the right time. But also, you know, that that also meant me moving and me making the decision to move at the right time. You know, we gave ourselves three years at my wife and I and just about the beginning of our third year, Tim was like, Let's go, Let's do it.

spk_2:   7:14
That's beautiful. Um, no, I I love it. So, um, you literally grew up from starting to play. Which, by the way, the violin is one of the they say, one of the most difficult instruments to play because there's really no fret or exact, you know, location. Right where you know, to play the keys. Um, and you literally were already on stage at 13. And you just stay devoted and believed in yourself. And here you are. Now, um, playing for Tim. Um and, ah, you know, some of your audience members are, you know, 60,000 people or more as you sitting here now, like looking back at your 13 year old self. Did you feel like when you're playing Were you like I'm gonna be here or did it just kind of, you know, you just kind of just stuck with it. And it became

spk_0:   8:12
That's the weird thing is that you know, when I made the decision, Teoh pick up country music, you know, cause I played classical. I read music and high school did the solo and arms ensembles. I grew up in South Texas. So, you know, from high school, all kinds of music. Mariachi. You know, the guys with the big hats in the Taizo did that for a couple years. I played in our regional symphony. But yet, you know, there was just when I decided play country music, and I just I had to learn the licks I had in me the desire to be like, Charlie Daniels, that that was my I want to be the next Charlie Daniels. Okay, So, uh, dream beyond, you know, my stars. And what end of the pap winning was with something, you know, Almost just is cool. Um, you know, if I had come out to be the next Charlie Daniels, I may not have been working for 25 years. I may have only working five or 10 you know, with this crazy business. So I think somebody you know. They always say you don't get what you want, You get what you need. I think in this case coming up there said, You know, I think you would be better suited as the side guy for this guy. You know, I, uh I didn't I didn't go against that. I went. I fully embraced it and fully said, Hey, let's let's do it. And Tim gives me the opportunity to be to be that guy sometimes, you know, I have a little, you know, little following on instagram people. You know, I'm able to write and put songs out there, and Tim has no, you know, no problem with that. If if if I would have become a hit songwriter tomorrow, Tim would probably be, you know, 100 times more proud of me than he already is because

spk_2:   9:56
I saw something

spk_0:   9:57
accomplished something, but he would never say, You know, you can't do that. We shouldn't do that. He would always be in our corner.

spk_2:   10:04
So I got I got to kind of talk about this to we We talked about it a few times, and, um, here you are, you know, talking about being able to get to this point and, um, you know, actually performing. And here we are sitting on this podcast. Um, you know, one of the things we we had kind of touch base a little bit is, um you know, I know for me, uh, working with you guys. Um, you know, backstage. I'm never actually in front of the spotlight. Um, and so I think, you know, backstage. I don't feel that same sense. I definitely feel when the lights go off and there's that energy and, you know, it's beautiful. Um, but to stand in front of 60,000 people and to be ableto you know, throw one of those licks down for, you know, green grass grows or something like that. And to have, I'd like to say no fear. Um, but then here we are at this podcast that we had talked a little bit about even me, you know, being a little nervous to get in front of camera and do this, Um, you know, how does that process in your head about, you know, kind of the, You know, I know for viewers, like outside their, you know, looking at the idea of standing in front of the stage. I know for me I'd be like, you know, it's Farra speaking and stuff. I'm a little nervous to do that. And yet, you know, here you are going from 60,000 and the, you know, the heat of the moment to, you know, right here.

spk_0:   11:35
Yeah. Uh, um Well, you know, the nerves are definitely there, you know, before before a show before the the lights, music goes on and all that stuff we're backstage. You know, I have a Siris of songs I like to listen to to get me just to wear a confident I think it is, I think, where we all remind me. It's a little bit of lack of confidence. You know what happens if I don't always feel well, you know, there's there's days and nights you go on stage that I may have a cold or or just tired. We had Tim. Tim loves to work, and so he loves to have us not with him. And it's a benefit that we all share, you know? Um, so, yeah, the nerves are definitely there. And, uh, up until I've actually played the first couple of notes or saying the first couple of notes Do I feel like home? Yeah, you know, it's still, uh, thinking to be nervous issue whether it's sitting here talking to you. We're playing before 60,000 people or, you know, I get nervous practicing here at home. You know, you're exposing yourself, and I know this is my talent, my gift. And I know I should be sharing it, and that right there kind of, you know, encourages me even more. Yeah, this is what God gave you to share with the world. And if you can make somebody smile out there and bring them out of a bad spot or a bad moment than that, that's your that's your job.

spk_2:   13:06
So it's so it's more of, ah, mind game instead of a physical setback. Oh, you mean you have the capability? It's just, you know, a little bit of a reprogramming of almost the, you know, the choose your attitude, if you will. You know, you have to, you know, make that choice to step in there. Um and I know I'm kind of doing the same thing with, you know, podcasting, but, um, I want to touch back with kind of you and ah, Tim and kind of working. Ah, you know, as the band Prior. I know. That's one thing. Um, we're putting the stage together and such. And, um, we get there early. You guys get there around three o'clock or so. One of the first things I usually see you guys do as a group is. Ah, You guys go hustle and ah, you guys air working out on mentally. How has that impacted you guys? Because I know. I know. For me. Um, after Brianna had passed, um, working out was what I found her to relieve. Um, the pressure, the frustration, Um, it was that hobby I could take anywhere. It was that thing that, you know, nobody could give me anything. I had to give it to myself, you know? And that was one of those things. But for you, um, how has that kind of helped you? And, you know, your struggles and, um, even kind of helped, I guess, even as a group, kind of, you know, men didn't build because I do know that's one thing. Even in 2010 you guys were starting and and now even more so it's hard corn, right before this podcast you were just talked about, You know, you you went ahead, hit the gym a bit, but yeah,

spk_0:   14:46
uh, well, you know, it brings us together. We share, um, a sense of brother brother ship when? Where I call it the Gorilla Yard. Because we you know, we're throwing around chains and tires and no, and, uh, sledgehammers and crazy things like that, So and, um, but it definitely pulls us together. You know, we, uh we motivate each other out there, you know, we give each other skips the poor, we give each other praise because, you know, from day to day you see each other getting stronger. You see, you know each other losing a little bit. Awaiting our goal is to be able to be in a shape that we can do this as long as possible, you know? And we've all you know, myself speaking, I don't want I don't want to put any kind of rumors out there, But we've treated ourselves bad enough, you know, for many years at the beginning of our career, you know? So, taking some time, Teoh, build on what we've been given and strengthen and, uh, tone for the benefit of our families, for the benefit of the fans and the music is is a nice feeling to share. And Tim's a good trainer, man. I mean, uh, he's motivating, but he doesn't He doesn't beat you up if you don't. And, you know, just he's always encouraging to do what you can do, but just get back in it. And that's kind of life life's gonna beat you up. But if you just give up and lay on the sidelines and you're never gonna make any achievements in the advancement, so, um, it's been great. Um, you know, this last year we haven't been. We haven't done a riel tour tour since, uh, what We just wrapped up with the two of them. And, you know, we had faith out there many times. We have some of the opening acts out there. I think we really freak. A lot of the younger opening acts out. We're out there like you said about three o'clock in the afternoon, and, uh, it's sometimes we're in Phoenix, Arizona, over its 113 and we're out there just getting what we get, you know we can do it. And I think we kind of shame some of the guys because within the next couple days, they're out there doing it, too. It's a great alternative. You know, being out there, you can waste a lot of time being on the road. You know, uh, time. And there's a lot of, ah temptations out there that can definitely, you know, take you down a dark and dark or dark road. Um, so to be able to have something to look forward to when we get to the venue. A good workout, a shower, a good meal and and then kick ass show. Yes. That's the best topping on the day, you know, A

spk_2:   17:29
I think one of the biggest things that that I found two and you've kind of pointed at it is, um, the refocus of your negative energy for me, it's kind of been that healing sense. And I definitely see that with you guys. Um, so, yes. So, like you said the the most recent one. So the 1st 1 we were together in 2010 and then we came to get together again. Actually, in 2000 I think was 18. Um, But what was significant is, um I don't remember if 2010 if you had seen Brianna or met Brianna. Um, I know 2010 was more of kind of like passing in the hallway type stuff from, you know, that is one thing that usually happens with us is because we're two different sets of groups. You know, there's not a lot of interaction. It's usually outside interaction. Um, if we ever interact, um, And so, um, but in 2017 when Brianna Pastels one, that was one huge thing that I found, um, is everything at home had disappeared. And, um, what was really, really nice is it was about a week after she had passed, and it was like, one of those very dark moments. Um, and I remember Ali, who was Ah, who is the wardrobe? Um, I had talked to her, and I knew you guys were coming out, and a whole group of people were out there, and, um, I got to come see you guys. Uh, and it was one of the most beautiful things because it was a great member. Ah. Reminder. Um, that at home, we almost live like two different lives. If you will, um, there's there's at home, um, your family and obviously those air. Most important, um, but at at the same time, in addition to family, there's also this inner soul. Um, I know you love this, and I love this. There's a There's a vibe out there. It's a brotherhood. Um, and like you said, especially with, you know, McGraw's camp, Um, you know, it's this family. And, um, that was one really cool thing that I appreciate it. And it was one of those things that, um, gave me hope. Um, when I when I came to see you guys and listening to your Guiza's music, um And, um, it actually, you know, was really deep in, ah, sensual. And, um, a couple of the songs live like you're dying in such I know when 2008 it was one of those things that we kind of had a little ritual. I was on the side of the stage doing camera, and it was one of those times that you just happened to be doing the solo on that side of the stage. Um, and every single night. It was kind of one of our moments where we would connect. Exactly, Um, how does that make you feel here you are playing for all these people and to you, You're having fun on the stage. But to some of these people, you know, there, they're in an emotional situation. Um, and especially right now, um, music is a piece of entertainment that has this healing power that can remove us from almost anything. Um, and for that one hour, we can have some fun, Um, as a musician and being on that stage and having that power, you know, how does that make you feel? And how does that, you know, kind of interact with, um, you know, you as dean of the violinist and mandolin, and you know, that kind of thing. How does that, um, you know, kind of vibrate the bones?

spk_0:   21:16
Yeah, man. It's, uh, you know, it's moving. I Sometimes I can't. You know, I can't look at the audience because of the emotion that you know, the nerve of the emotion that we've hit with this with this song and that song live like you were dying. Um, you know, resonated with so many people going through so much and mostly, you know, cancer survivors. And so it's many. Every night we play that song, there's people down front who have and are living like They're like they're dying. Oh, and, um, it's it's emotional. There's There's many a night that I have to look away. And maybe that might have been why I happen. Just look up and see you over there and Mike the back of my head. You know, I knew what you were going through, and I just wanted to encourage you know, you Hey, man, and keep your chin up. Yeah, and keep on living because, you know, you're not dead, you know, um, but there's a sense of it's a sense of like, oh, my God. Ness seemed like, you know, and sense of like, wow, you know, almost almost like all you know, Like like I can't believe that that the song that we're singing in playing is doing this to these people. Um brings back a memory of somebody they lost or, you know, an experience that they're going through. Um, it's quite powerful, man. It really is. Uh, that's what you want to do. That's what you long for. You want to reach people in that in that capacity to where you You're talking right to them with your song. You know, like you said a minute ago. You know about language and music. Better have me languages. It goes to know what everything. I forget how you put it. But it's music.

spk_2:   23:08
It was Ah, yeah, that. I mean, you can play an instrument, and no matter what language you speak, we all speak the same thing. And it's a cohesiveness. Um, and you know, it's it's it is pretty beautiful. Oh, yeah, And and you know, as you're talking about it, I you know, I'm reminiscing in a little bit and you know, you can feel that And, um, I will say that is one thing to that that I miss. And, um, you know, that's part of my struggle right now that I'm having a hard time with is because of, you know, us in the concert industry. We you know, it's gonna be a while till we, you know, possibly go back. And, um, you know, that audience is huge. Um, and I actually remember going back to Ah, you know, uh, school when I was doing video and, ah, that was one of those, uh, levels of, you know, Do I work in the studio, or do I work in a concert? And, um, actually, even in the book, I kind of wrote it out of, you know, kind of watching Garth Brooks and Central Park and watching, you know, that that feel of people, um and, ah, now I'm out with, you know, ah, Dave Matthews Band. And, you know, watching how he connects with his crowd. Much like, you know, Tim McGraw's another one of those that, you know, he's got that energy. And, um, you know, that's there's there's definitely nothing like it, and it's pretty exciting. Um, now, with with all this stuff going on, we've We've talked about Tim a little bit. But you, um, you still are an individual, and you still got, you know, projects that you're kind of working on. We talked about, you know, a song that you might play here that, um you know, that that you wrote have

spk_0:   24:58
oh, is since, you know, since I moved to Nashville and, um, even before moving to Nashville Song writing was the way something that thought was very special. And it's something I really wanted to try and get better doing. So, uh, riding in pursuing a song writing career is kind of like where my second, you know, focuses, you know, podcasting has been something that's been heavy on my mind and and, uh, you know, trying to get out there. And I feel like, uh, for the past 25 years or so that I've been able to do this with Tim. There's been so many people who have given me so much of their life, time and money that I would like to give something back, and I don't know that they, um you know, do they want it? I haven't had, like, overwhelming response of people saying Do you know, do a podcast? But I think I think being able to connect with people like you are on a level of, uh, you know, normalcy and you know, a human kind of vibe. You know, every day is not perfect for me. I struggle with with financial insecurities. I struggled with personal confidence issues. I'm a father of four boy, four boys and one daughter was Just give me three grandchildren that, you know, I'm learning on a day to day basis how to deal with certain issues and questions and stuff going So, trying to be able Teoh, you know, provide the people who have provided that means so much a little something would be my ultimate go gold just to be ableto you know, share some of these cool people in the world. Or maybe it's my musings or my advice. Or it's got to be something like you've done, uh, that people all want to know about. You know how toe, how to choose your attitude and change your life is what we all would, you know, benefit from. I believe so, um, singing and singing and trying to pursue a record deal. I don't know. I'm getting kind of old. I still love the saying I still love him play and right. Um, but who knows? Me knows I toyed with the idea of Children writing Children's books. You know, I'm still a kid up here until, you know, I'm an old man out here, but appear do scare easy things, and so I love it. I gotta find something that feeds that because I'm definitely feeling a hunger in that area, whether it's, you know, podcast or a book or or something. I've been shooting pictures, and I've been journaling since I started with Tim. So I have a few volumes of journal entries that have, you know, books and Diskin and photographs actually was fortunate enough to get some of my photographs published in one of the books that we did early on That coincided with our very first project, our very first record project. So they used a bunch of my photos in one of their one of our books, so that was kind of cool. But again, Time magazine hasn't called me up yet.

spk_2:   28:17
No, I I love it. Um, it's you know it like like you said, it's a it's a good step or a good understanding. Um, like you said Teoh to share that we're all human and we're all the same level. Um and we're kind of learning that right now you've been that, you know, um, way we all may have different journeys or different aspects or, um, you know, our picture that people see maybe at a different level than others, but At the end of the day, we're all at the same level, Um, and and by choosing ah, and and creating, uh, these different aspects and sharing some of those things, um, you know is definitely inspiring and shows that you know where we're all human, and at the same time, we, um we all have struggles. Um, and no matter what the struggle is, um, you know, it's it's it's not Ah, um, you can call it a failure, but at the same time, it's it's it's Ah, I don't like this. Call it a failure because it's it's more of a learning lesson. Um, you know, and and well, we're all human. We all struggle. Um, and, you know, even like this, like you say with your podcast. It's been a journey for me to go through this with this podcast. Um, and you know, being comfortable or trying to become comfortable doing this, um, is a journey in itself. So, you know, I applaud you for that. Um, and I know we've talked about, you know, working together to kind of help you get there and come with him

spk_0:   29:51
for that, too. Thank you, Nick.

spk_2:   29:53
Yes, For sure. Um so in this time, if I was a person who wanted to learn to play, um and I know for me Ah, one of the first stages was trying to learn guitar, and it just, you know, it's mind over matter type. Deal. Um, what were some of the biggest lesson do you got as a musician that you might be able to share to somebody? Ah, starting out. That's, you know, getting frustrated and keeps, you know, maybe toss in the violent or whatever, because, you know, they just don't feel, you know, uh, good. Yeah, yeah,

spk_0:   30:29
exactly. Yeah. Um, you know nothing. Nothing good. I've always worries. Learned nothing Good is easy, you know, And and And I think the term or the word good or, you know, I think it's relevant. I think you gotta You gotta be persistent. And if you could just notch out sometime and every day to where you can spend some time with your instrument and, you know, some people think, you know, there's times right practice, and it may not be anything but me keeping my both straight on the string and just having long both strokes and just keeping that smooth and fluid. I don't have to go through a bunch of scales and arpeggios and, you know, pieces toe to feel like a practice, you know, getting back to basics. Getting back to what What got me started are the most fundamental tools that that Aiken better myself with. So anybody who wants to learn an instrument, I think you need to ask yourself from the very beginning. How bad do I want to learn it? You know, if I want to learn this instrument bad enough that I'm willing to cut my nails really short, cause any string instrument you play, you're gonna be using the tips of your fingers and any finger nail on that left hand is gonna go on a cause of problem. Am I willing to cut my fingers, my fingernails and then, you know, my willing to practice a little bit every day and not beat myself up? You know, imagine. You know, I can't imagine my parents back when I was eight years old in the third grade, when I brought home my violin and I tried to practice, you know, for them I'm sure it sounded like a car wreck. You know, having a good surrounding group support system with anything you up, you know, going to encourage you even when you do sound terrible. You're doing better, you know. Keep it up. You need that. I think that's important. You know, um, you benefit sister spouse or your kids. You know, uh, but persistence definitely is. Is one and just, you know, how bad do you want it? There are so many resource is out there, Nick. Right now with him tube and especially with everybody being, you know, being at home right now. Everybody's putting out, you know, instructional videos. So it wouldn't be for a lack of resource is that you couldn't learn how to play an instrument. It would be for the lack of confidence days. Um,

spk_2:   33:02
would would you put Would you put patients in there, too?

spk_0:   33:05
Oh, yeah. Only, you know, and have reasonable. Almost a lower your expletive expectations, but having reasonable expectations, um, also helps, you know, um, you know, it's a Roman. I'm sure when he first started out, sounded like I did when I started that

spk_2:   33:24
everybody's got to start out. That's one thing I'm learning right now to is patient, you know, I wanna Ah, we all, uh, most of us were all driven. And you all have that drive. Um and you know, to be honest, that's what I gave up on the guitar for is because in one day I wanted to, you know, get on a stage and be you know, you the Garth Brooks or whatever. Um, but, um, no, that's definitely right. Now is the patients. Um and so, you know, I wanted to add that to that, because that's that's a lesson I'm learning as we speak right now that, you know, today is not gonna be the success. But that drive and continuing through is where you're gonna actually and much like it sounds like with your career. That's what happened is you just stayed and you kept going. And there's no real day that it came, but that one day that it's you know, when you're seeing in that devotion this scene, you know, they pick you up because of your drive and devotion rather than your ah, the extreme talent. Should I say correct?

spk_0:   34:28
I can agree with that. I totally agree with that. Yeah, sometimes that outshines the talent. You know, if they know you're a hard worker and, uh, and you're willing to keep your nose to the grindstone, as they say and do whatever it takes to either learn apart or be able to sing a part of whatever. I mean, that's that's persistence, determination, you know, that's all those good qualities that are helpful in learning at an instrument, you know?

spk_2:   34:56
Well, um, I'm excited to hear, uh, what you have for us. Um, I know. Ah, Can you give us a little bit of, ah, intro on this and then ah, play a little something special?

spk_0:   35:08
Yeah, I could try. I will. Uh, you know, like I said, since I've been in a since I've been in Nashville, that just kind of been wanting Teoh to better my song writing abilities. And, you know, I'm not the best. I could be playing my instruments, you know, I know that there's a lot of room for improvement. Still, Um, and I I do I You know, I practice thistles. Just one of those little you know what they call them side jobs or Ah, side house. Yeah, they got Russell, um, that I've been missing around for a little bit. And, uh, who knows who knows where. Linda. But I enjoy doing it. It's therapeutic for me. And, uh, and maybe one day you'll you'll hear some of my songs on the radio. You know, this song is was written between myself and two of the friends of mine that trapped in Harvey and Quinn Loggins both. You know, very good writers love those guys both very much. And we just wanted to kind of come up with a song that kind of let people know and encourage people to look for the, you know, the beauty in the in the hurt and in the in the, you know, the roughness of life there it's all around us and it just takes a minute for us to kind of see that. You know, the brightest stars shine when it's when the night gets its darkest. So this song is called brightest stars, and

spk_1:   36:39
Dan takes his bullet every year going on 10 years now to Dogwood Tree growing up where they're holder down to remind you, no matter what happens, beauty rise from the ashes and last guy way you stand a little older, bad in this world aimed over good with no matter how hard you Sometimes you news it all. Just find it with nine. Its darkest nine star gets the froth. Brad Store There's a woman walking out of church with one year chill 12 months to the day she was low was one she found strange to take it to the pastor Fall to your knees, Foran Answer Now she stands in a circle preaching Once he heard God save he said g o takes you stronger Get down a little older A little bag swirling so good is good No matter how are you Sometimes you lose it all Just bythe brightest stars Can't have left without crying Joy without paying give without take With clouds The sun still shining Waiting on a break To make a rainbow from your rain way Night gets starkest tonight gets starkest froth It is good, Amaze you stronger you stand Little told er when the nine gets its darkest night begins his darkest froth. Great job, buddy.

spk_0:   40:07
Thank you so much.

spk_2:   40:08
Uh, thank you. That was beautiful. So, um, I've been kind of ending all these. Ah, with ah kind of one question um and ah, question is is ah, when I say, choose your attitude, create your life. Um, how does that what's that mean to you? And how does that kind of resonate? Ah, Meaning,

spk_0:   40:33
uh, man, it's something I struggle with every day. So those words really strike deep in my heart because choosing your attitude is really the only thing you have control over. The only thing I have control over as a human being. Um, So I'm always reminding myself to choose my attitude, and and I know the outcome, you know? I know it'll change my life. So it's just that first half the first half e I get you got to get solid, the other half will follow. So no, man, those those words. I love that you, uh you took brandy's words and and used them to create this reminder for everybody. Because it is it is. But you say fax this, get facts. If you can change how you feel, you can think differently. How you feel about something your life will change.

spk_2:   41:26
I love it. Do you know I thank you so much. It's an honor to have you on your, um it means the world to me. Uh, if people want to find you Ah, where can they follow you and connect with you?

spk_0:   41:42
Well, um, I'm on all the social media platforms except for Facebook. I'm on Graham on Twitter. Um, you can find me at Instagram at Dino DHD on instagram and on Twitter at Fiddle Andino. And, um, I have a little blogged that I contribute to every now and then. And I'm finding ah, you know, more and more time to contribute to it here recently. So that's fiddle andino dot com. There's a little bios and pictures, and I promise they'll be new content very shortly.

spk_2:   42:14
I love it. Well, I'll definitely do what I can to help you, that's for sure.

spk_0:   42:19
Hey, once I get my stuff horrible in my little podcast Roland, I'm gonna have you on here, cause, uh, people need to hear your story wrote.

spk_2:   42:27
Ah, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you, everybody, for joining us on the cheese. Your attitude podcast. Don't forget to come visit us at Choose your attitude dot com where you can find more info about the mission as well as choose your attitude apparel. Along with books Loving someone is dying and the illustration quotes on a fridge. If you have any questions or ideas for the show, please email us that podcast that choose your attitude dot com as we are always excited to hear from you. Thanks everybody, for listening. You know, as always, choose your attitude. Create your life. That's where everybody

spk_1:   43:01
thanks for listening to choose your attitude, create your life. If you like what you just heard, we hope you'll pass along our Web address and podcast. Choose your attitude dot com to your friends and colleagues. If you have a specific topic or question, you want Nick to answer or address, or if you want to recommend someone pretty amazing to be on the show, please visit our website and leave your recommendation under our podcast page while you're there. Please leave us a positive review. Be sure to check out our archives section on a website for previous podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Join us next time for another edition of Choose Your Attitude, Create Your Life