About me

My passion is music. my love is jesus. My world, and my life really only consists and revolves around  two things. music and faith. Everything I do, say or think relates to music and my strong faith in jesus. I grew up in a family where the arts were always important no matter where we were in our lives. My parents, being that they home schooled my siblings and I, always tried to bring some form of music or arts to our crazy lives. I’m one of seven children, we were and still are a big family, My parents had my four older siblings then later with the huge age gap of eight years along came me! My mom then a few years later decided that I shouldn't be the only baby at the time and needed someone to grow up with, which was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I don’t know where I would be without my little sister. . .and even then a few more years later something I would like to call ‘a gift from Santa’. After writing down ‘a little baby’ on my wish list for Christmas, my parents then announced happily that my mom was pregnant again. Nine, VERY long months later my baby brother James came into this world.During our school year there would be more arts&crafts then any child could dream of. Most of our school curriculum was based around the arts. Almost every one of my siblings had the gift of either music, Language Arts, Visual Arts, and even the Culinary Arts like my older brother. Being that I had a fairly well rounded family I had a wide spectrum to choose from. I grew from not only listening to music 24/7, but even watching my brother Jonathan in the kitchen along side my Grandfather who was also a chef for many years. At the age of six I can still remember being the “sous chef” side by side my grandfather and being able to make Sea Food Fettuccine straight from scratch. To watching my older sisters Cahla and Christen creating art collages from old Vogue magazines or drawing beautiful piece of art from a single pencil. My mom being an English major would always read books. Either it was bed time stories, or just sitting down and reading us poems. She was a writer, so I think that really helped me form my self as a songwriter as well. As I grew up, it wasn't long till I realized what I wanted to do in my life. Having the base of such a great family, I was able to know that whatever I chose to do that they would support me. So I chose music. My family, my parents and older sister really were one of the whole reasons why I wanted to become a musician, I grew up watching my sister play the piano, singing possibly everywhere she went. I even had the chance to follow along with her and her band Carson’s Window as they performed at more then quite a few venues. I think that was really when I knew I wanted to become not only a musician, and not only a singer, but a performer. My sister, Caryn, was one of the first to realize I had potential. Because of Caryn from such a young age I began playing piano at the age of 6, learning, watching my sister with everything she did or said. I traveled with her for a few shows, met so many other great musicians.A few years back I picked up my mothers guitar she had laying in the attic, started playing around a bit, watched a few videos and soon I was in love with guitar. Teaching my self everything there was about it, my brother n law, Mike, helped me learn more & more every time we visited. I put the voice and guitar together and realized, It was my addiction. My new obsession. Then was the moment I knew what kind of musician I wanted to be.I headed into high school and started taking music and school a lot more seriously. Caryn helped me gain confidence in my self as an artist, taught me to write songs in every different way, and she and my mom made it possible for me to get the chance to work with one of the best vocal coaches at Seton Hill University. I can’t even describe how much she helped me and how much I learned in such a short amount of time. It didn't take me long to catch on and find my voice. During these few years Caryn was in the process of starting her own business. Getting back out into the music world she launched her new promoting company called Lucid Dreaming Artists Services. With her company she full handily took me over and helped me get out there. I would go and stay with her for a few weeks at a time, working at as much writing as possible. Eventually she helped me create a few songs from start to finish. While working there she would even take me along side a few of her work events. I would go with her to the concert venues, again just like when I was growing up, I would watch her as she worked learning increasingly. I don’t even want to imagine where I’d be without my family, and specially my sister Caryn. They are the reason I am the way I am. I wouldn't even dream of growing up another way. They have taught me that music can help you through anything. 

When the world fails, music will never disappoint me.

 

                                                                                                                                      - cali