Elijah Recital

This is how it all started! This sweet little kid really wanted a drum set for Christmas. All the presents had been given out and despite being a little disappointed, Elijah put on a happy face because that is Lij! I think it was my Dad said, Hey Elijah, I think I heard somebody put something in my room. (The house I grew up in was bought by my sister and brother and then Dad built a papa apartment on the side). This was Elijah's reaction to seeing his new drum set. Not a great one, but would get him going! This is where we are at as of 1:00 today!

That Christmas was in 2012! It was an honor to be Elijah's first drum teacher, I think I gave him his first gig, I had him on his first recording! I'm so blessed to literally have worked with thousands of kids at this point in my life. So many stay in touch with me and have gone on to very big things. There is none more special then teaching family! Today was such a sentimental moment and wondering how time went so fast! 

Elijah, had his college senior Jazz Recital today! I could not be more proud of him. He is such a gifted writer, an amazing percussionist, but still the same sweet kid I taught 14 years ago. As kids become older they get away from saying they love you, but Lij and I tell each other we love each other all the time including on stage! 

It is always gratifying when you invest so much in someone and you get to see the fruits of your labor. I always joke that if you do the opposite of what I tell you to do, you'll be incredible! 

It was my distinct honor to be asked by Lij, to be a part of his recital. I did not take this lightly and actually practiced a lot for this day wanting to live up to the moment. I'm sorry to say for various reasons I came up short today and am pretty bummed about it but in typical Lij fashion he said it was perfect and everything he had hoped for. Thanks Lij! 

The sentimental part was obviously thinking of my Dad who had also invested so much into Elijah. Elijah not only gave tribute to my Dad but wrote a song called Exodus for him, again testimony to the character of this young man who honors his elders well! Man, if my Dad could have seen his son and grandson playing together on his recital, he would have been so happy. Luckily, he did get to see us play together a lot! 

Thank you also to Brother Keith Hall who corrected all my mistakes in teaching Elijah for 14 years! 
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Please take a walk down memory lane with me and browse through our time together over the years. 

Love you Elijah! Uncle Max could not be more honored and humbled! 

​Pictures from today:

Memory Lane