Sorry I’m a bit late to this one, Jay just catching up now, but man… what a killer photo journey. 🍻

Looks like a lot of great memories packed into those 20 years. Huge congrats to you too because you’ve been a huge part of the WA story for so many of us. The tools and training are awesome, but the real gold is in the people, and you’ve always kept that human side front and center.

Here’s to the next round of brewery laughs, late-night classes, and friendships that outlast any algorithm. Grateful to be a part of the ride with legends like you still showing up.

Cheers my friend,
Shawn

Thanks for sharing, Jay! I really enjoyed seeing that glimpse into the friendships you've all built. It's funny because I've been in WA for about 8 (?) years, I think, and you all feel like my distant friends, except none of you know me - it's a very one-sided friendship! 🙃 Anyway, thank you for sharing. And I really enjoyed your 20 years of WA post too.
Have an awesome rest of your weekend, Jay.
Cheers
Melissa

SteveO324
1 day ago
Forgive me in advance, this is the first time I’ve ever tried to write like this.

Step 1: 3 core values

1. Passion
2. Musicianship
3. Enlightened

Step 2: Values - Human Traits

Passion - desire, enthusiasm, strong emotions, grit

Musicianship - precision, patience, creativity

Enlightened - knowledgeable, intentional, purpose

Step 3: Traits - Tangible Physical Signs

Name: Steve aka SteveO

A six foot stocky fellow in his mid 50s. Wears shorts and a t-shirt most days, because of the hot climate he lives in, but will dress up when his bougie wife insists. (He secretly likes dressing up fancy…shhhh).

99% of the time he’s wearing sunglasses. He had long hair for well over a decade but cut it when he joined the Navy. Nowadays, he keeps it short but sometimes has a starving artist look.

His friends enjoy shouting “SteveOOOOOOOOO” every time they see him walk into a room. He has a humble demeanor so he just quietly shakes his head and laughs. He’s somewhat quiet but always a deep thinker. The kind of person that watches an action movie and is concentrating on what the underlying theme is.

A slightly passive personality but will speak up at the right time. Does not get offended easily and has the patience of a saint. He doesn’t like comparing himself to others as he only competes with himself. He serves others first, including his dogs. He is a natural observer and slow to speak. In a crowded room, he prefers to sit in a corner, looking outward to observe what others are doing.

As a teenager and fueled by his love for music, he set out learning to play guitar. So, in HS, he got a job so that he could buy his first guitar, clothes, and a car. Over the years, he’s played in many garage bands but refuses to play in what he calls a “wedding singer” band.

Creating original music is what he values the most. Always has a guitar near for when inspiration hits. His office/studio is littered with music equipment from the past 40+ years because, in his own words, “if it still works, why get rid of it.” (Not a hoarder)

-All ages
-Jeans or shorts, RnR (band) T-shirts, sunglasses
-Guitars, amps, effect pedals, headphones, microphones, etc.
-Slow to speak, laughter, fun,

Step 4: Voice and Language

3 phrases often said:
1. It’s all about rock and roll
2. Turn it up to 11
3. That’s BADASS!
4. If you turn the volume down, you’re too old
5. I’m just Steve…
6. Just chill

3 forbidden words:
1. I Give up
2. I hate(fill in the blank)
3. It’s too hard

1 typical way of saying no:
1. “Say no to trying and say yes to doing”

Step 5: Mini Narrative Scene: SteveO Auditions For a Rock Band


Scrolling through Facebook one night, a post caught SteveO’s attention. It was a rock band looking for a lead guitarist. It had been 12 years since he was involved with any band but thought it was intriguing anyway.

With very nervous fingers, he messaged the band, sharing his past experience in playing guitar, then asking for a chance to audition. They messaged back and gave him a date and time to show up, along with an address. SteveO thought to himself, “Wow! I can’t believe I went through with it.”

Night of the audition finally came. Ringing the doorbell, a tall man answered, it was the drummer, Tommy, saying “Hi, you must be SteveO.” He answered with a shy low voice, “yes.” After making the rounds meeting all of the members in the band, the lead singer, Tina, said, “let’s do this!” So he set up an amplifier and tuned his guitar, played a few chords and ripped a few guitar licks to loosen up.

The other guitarist, another Steve, asked “here, I’ll show you the chords in this song, so just play along and feel free to improvise.” SteveO was so excited that he exclaimed “hell yeah, that’s so badass!” The other Steve smiled and began playing. The band played 4 or 5 songs, each requiring some backing vocals, SteveO was not really a singer, but he gave it his best shot.

Afterwards, they all chatted a bit to get more familiar with each other. They asked all types of questions like “how long have you been playing,” “what’s your musical background,” “how do you like the songs we’re playing.” The audition, first time SteveO did something like this because he usually was just ‘in a band’, seemed to go really well. They said their goodbyes and said, “we’ll call you when we make a decision.”

So he waited…patiently…well not really. He was nervous about the impression he made and who the competitors he was up against. Around this time of the year, SteveO attended the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival. Sitting around in his usual attire - shorts, t-shirt, and sunglasses, listening to some amazing blues artists, his cell phone rang.

It was Tina. He looked at the phone with a nervous lump in his throat. “Hello?” he said. “Hey, this is Tina from the band, what are you up to?” “I’m currently chillin at the Jazz Festival.” Tina said, “Well, me and the band have made a decision. At this moment, SteveO’s heart sank for a second, thinking he’d flunked out and made a terrible impression at the audition.

After an awkward pause that seemed like an eternity, she proclaimed “We chose you!” “Oh my God, this is awesome!” he said proudly. He nervously continued with “Thank you for giving me a chance to be a part of your band, I won’t let you down.”

And the rest is history, SteveO played with the band for the next 2 years, playing gigs all over the New Orleans area and having lots of fun along the way.

The End

This Is so Amazing, Jay!!! As I love saying "business Is made by people FOR people" and these pictures are the exact proof of that!

Who Will come to see me in Italy? Lol!

Love the memories! One should have memories of your journey! I love looking at pictures of the past because it reminds you where you came from. Sometimes I think some people need to be shown where they came from because some forget once they get a certain title or style.