You've got to start somewhere...

So - first blog, cards on the table. My name's Brad and I'm currently writing this from my home on the Wirral (no, not Liverpool... there's a difference). Perhaps it's the impending sense of things never quite being the same again, or maybe, just maybe... it's an opportunity to do some real good. For a long time, I've selfishly seen the world of blogging as a strange place. A passive way to just talk about yourself, softened by perhaps one or two relevant or trending topics. How wrong I was... because of my own ego, I dismissed truly understanding the format and how valuable it can be to share your world when it's done right. It's not been an easy road, but it's far from over. So, to understand where I am, it's only fair you know where I'm from... I started bd Pro (unofficially) in 2010, although back then it didn't have a name or really amount to much. I would record and mix my friends local bands and music, engineer their gigs and co-write more demos than actually made it to release. I think the best way to figure something out is just by doing it. Even when you fail, there's always something to learn from the experience. Lots of great memories and time well spent. Over the last 10 years: I've started a wedding band, held residencies on Mathew St, toured the UK with covers and original bands, had short international stints and worked with some ridiculously gifted musicians, engineers and producers. Before I was 18, one of my first bands had music featured in Classic Rock and Kerrang magazine; a personal highlight being that we placed higher on a compilation CD than Dragonforce. Winner, right? We had national radio play thanks to Janice Long, played huge festivals, built a fan base, went to plenty of label & management meetings across the country and it all went straight to my head. I thought we had smashed it. I was arrogant and didn't care about anything else... but then it was over. By that point, I'd already dropped out of college and had the painful realization that I hadn't even started yet. Having such an incredibly supportive and musical family who would share their auditory collections every day was an anchor. Funnily enough, I'm sure that's where my musically adventurous nature comes from, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's all been a part of the journey and I'm grateful for it. When me and my girlfriend found out we were having a child, I still hadn't quite figured everything out (or hell even do now, who does?) but the thing that changed for me was this everlasting and overwhelming sense of providing that naturally comes with being a father. A real kickstarter. I began applying this to every aspect of my life and tried to just be a better human for everyone in it. All except for myself, but that's ok. She's 3 now and kindly letting me write this first blog whilst she naps... oh how she loves the nap. It won't be long before she's awake so I'll wrap post this up. Growing up in the age of recording the radio on cassettes whilst having these shiny things called CD's was weird. There was no Spotify, no Facebook and no Instagram stories. Metallica was writing soft rock and yet to sue Napster. No invisible clouds and certainly no instant communication, unless you could afford it. But just around the corner, that was all about to change. So, going back to bd Pro; I went all in. Reaching a point where you give yourself permission to take the reigns is the moment it all changes. No more dwelling, no half hearted commitments, just pure unrestricted forward movement. TL;DR - negatives are positives and I'm excited.