When I was in eight grade, I developed a great desire to become a rock star. I didn’t want to be the front man or lead guitarist. I wanted to be the kick-ass (that is the appropriate rock n’ roll terminology) drummer of one of the worlds greatest bands.

In the eighth grade, my dreams included playing drums for one of the following bands (the idea being that I would replace the existing drummer)…in order of preference. Granted, some of these bands were defunct at the time. 1. Rush 2. Guns n’ Roses 3. Metallica 4. The Dead Milkmen 5. Black Flag 6. Minor Threat.

As I progressed through high school, the dream remained but the bands changed. The above mentioned bands all fell out of with list and were replaced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Janes Addiction, The Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, The Cocktails, The Flaming Lips, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and many others.

During college, I studied percussion as a music education major at Ball State. I continued to want to be a rock star. At that time, I wanted to play with Carlos Santana, Poncho Sanchez, and countless jazz and Latin jazz artists.

Throughout middle school, high school, and college, I spent countless hours practicing, reading, studying, and listening to tons of music in order to be prepared for my career as a rock star. Some of my back problems may be directly related to my poor posture on the drum stool. This was the dream I pursued more than any other. While in high school, I didn’t really spend any time studying any thing outside of the musical world. I didn’t have time for algebra, social studies, literature, science, and the like. It was all about music.

I never became a large scale rock star. I had a few glimpses into what the life of a rock star looked like while in high school and college, playing with local rock bands like Clifton Wells, Avalava, Jessco, Cocaine Wolf and the Pedatones, Los Sangres, and countless others. I was fortunate enough to “sit in” with some fairly decent bands and musicians while in college. I’ve spent time in recording studios on various projects. But, needless to say, I have yet to appear on the cover of Spin or Rolling Stone (notice I said ‘I have yet to appear”).

As graduation approached (from college), I had two plans. One was to move to Nashville to start working in the music industry. That plan could have led to rock stardom. The second plan was to explore full-time ministry. That plan would not lead to rock stardom. It did lead to hanging out with some “Christian” rock stars (like Switchfoot, the Supertones, and many others). But, let’s be honest…there’s not a whole lot of “rock star” antics in the  Christian music scenes.

I cannot say that I have not had opportunties to pursue this dream. There have been moments when I’ve been presented with situations that could have helped lead me to rock star status. But prayerful decision making has led me to other avenues and occupations. And, I would say that the decisions have been the right decisions each time.

With this childhood dream, I still say, “Maybe some day.”