Music Q + A

Many people in our families are very interested and talented in musical arts.  This is the first in a series of Q + A with the artists. Maybe you'll learn something new about them. 

Music Q + A with Thomas Nelson

• What instrument or instruments do you play?

Guitar.

• How long have you been playing?

Since junior year of high school, so like 18 years. 

• How often do you play?

It varies so much. Sometimes I will play daily for like weeks at a time, sometimes I don't touch it for months. I know when it's been a while since I played last when I no longer have callouses on my fingers and it hurts to play again. That's usually when I feel like I want to pick it up again and will play regularly for a while. 

• Have you performed in public before?

Yes, but very limited with my guitar. I used to sing in a metal band in high school and we would perform regularly. I have had a few chances to play guitar and sing in public though. A few times I have played for work meetings, and I've played like coffee shops a couple times. 

• What type of music or songs do you like to play?

Country, and I like writing my own songs. I will usually learn a song, record myself playing it, then not play it anymore and forget it shortly after. If I ever were to perform I feel like I would need to practice so much to remember the songs. 

• What or who were some influences on you in music?

I like a lot of different kinds of music, and a lot of times I listen to like lesser known country artists (Logan Mize, Brandon Lay, Conner Smith, and others that have not made a big name for themselves yet, in addition to the famous singers like Dierks Bentley and Eric Church), and I will listen to metal (After the Burial, Wintersun, All That Remains). I usually just pick a song on YouTube music and then let the algorithm pick for me and just let it play. Phil from All That Remains was probably one of the biggest influences for me when it comes to screaming. 

• What is the dream down the road for you in music?

Honestly I don't really have dreams or plans when it comes to music, it's more so just a hobby for me. The drummer from the old band and I have been talking about possibly trying to start a project again, but so far it has just been talk and we haven't actually done anything to work towards making it happen. Who knows though, if I get the chance to perform more I think I would like that, but like I said, lots of practice will be needed before that happens haha.

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