Turtle Rock

For twenty years of my life, I frequently lost myself in the gym as a bodybuilder to the point of addiction. Spending three to four hours at a time, three and four days a week working out, I just couldn’t get enough. I pushed myself so hard that I would achieve what dedicated bodybuilders described as a feeling not unlike a runner’s high upon breaking that barrier. Upon achieving the “pump,” I could feel what I describe as similar to a skin-splitting sensation and as painful as it may sound, I assure you it was quite the opposite. An “all-natural” bodybuilder, I avoided using body enhancement drugs that accelerate a bodybuilder’s progress that was so prevalent then. Thank God I resisted those temptations as I’m sure it’s a good reason I’m as healthy as I am today. I never expected to realize any long term affects. As I explained to those who asked me if I lived that lifestyle rxpecting to live longer. Most seemed surprised when I replied that I did it only to improve my quality of life.

It all came to an abrupt end, however, when I suffered a debilitating, on-the-job, back injury that required two subsequent surgeries in order to simply get back up on my feet again. During my recovery period, I received the emotionally devastating news that I should never again lift or push more than 35 pounds. To put that into perspective, that was only 6% of my bench press maximum 525 pounds. Additionally, I had to find a different career field after having spent 20 years as a machinists, a career that I truly loved. Bodybuilding was the activity that I loved but would no longer be able to participate in. Devastated, I spiraled into a deep depression that lasted for years. Eventually recovering enough to stop taking antidepressants, 30 years later I still greatly miss those very intense and gratifying workouts.

I enjoyed music as a young boy and credit my best friend for my vast music appreciation. A trumpet player in the school band, he seemed to know everything about music and that inspired me to the point that I could easily lose myself in music. Whether it’s listening to the radio, playing some old records and/or CDs, my guitar, or simply going out for an evening of live entertainment, to this day, it remains my panacea.

As a child, I was influenced first by Ricky Nelson. During the month of February, 1964, after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, I began to develop a deeper interest in music and began listening to other artists as well. My mom and dad bought me a used accoustic guitar when I was in the fifth grade and paid for weekly lessons. I learned how to read music, pick some songs, and play a few chords, but I wasn’t learning what I wanted to play. One year later, discontent with my lack of progress, I stopped taking lessons. Back then, it was rock n roll and nothing else for me. Picking it back up from time to time over the years, I just didn’t have the discipline.

It was in my late 50s that I felt I was ready to commit to learning those chords that had so intimidated me in the past. I had been further inspired upon discovering online the Epiphone limited-edition signature model of the guitar that John Lennon played. My wife surprised me with it on my 60th birthday and I became determined to get beyond that life-long intimidation. Empty nesters by this time, I found that I had the time to apply myself. It wasn’t long before I was able to play chords that scared me to death as a youngster and I began to enjoy playing my guitar more than ever.

The Beatles started out by writing songs based on the pop music they themselves were listening to. Critics were quite vocal over the three-chord structure of their songs quite possibly because of their overwhelming popularity. All that changed following a meeting with Bob Dylan. It’s said that he told them their songs didn’t mean or say anything. They then began writing some of the hardest music to play and I never imagined that I would ever find myself playing it. My determination paid off and surprisingly enough, I soon found myself playing many of their songs. Today, I enjoy getting lost in music more than ever before.