Derek and Blake performing at the Tahitian Noni
Wendy and Jen were very involved in music throughout high school and college ... but it was Derek who ended up playing at a couple of concerts. After finding several pictures in Dropbox, I reached out to Derek and asked if he'd share his memories ...
When I was at BYU, music was a big part of my life. My high-school friend and college roommate Blake Stillman and I had a little band and played lots of small gigs in Provo (a couple restaurants, Velour, the Tahitian Noni building, etc.) I had recorded a little album of guitar, piano and vocal music (I actually released it online under the name Three Three Three (our apartment number at BYU). You can find it here. :) I didn't use my name when I published these since I'm sort of embarrassed about college-age songs.
In 2005, I was working at Zions Bank (I had a huge crush on Danielle but we weren't dating - just working together). I had recorded a little demo CD and had sent it to some of the locals (Jon Schmidt, Peter Breinholt, Ryan Shupe, etc.) I heard back from several of them which I now realize was super nice of them to consider me. Peter and Ryan both pulled me on stage to sing with them in different shows. Jon Schmidt was starting to get really popular and I was thrilled when he called me and asked if I could open for his Thanksgiving Point show (which was his biggest show at the time.) He asked if I could do five songs. Blake and I practiced hard and were ready to do three originals and two covers. I printed and hung posters at the bank and in our apartment complex and secretly really hoped that Danielle would come.
Our student ward at BYU bought so many tickets that I think Jon Schmidt was really pleased with his choice of opener when he saw the crowd we brought with us. Blake's parents and my parents came to support which was meaningful since I can't remember Mom coming to much of my stuff growing up (Dad always came to my soccer games and tennis matches, but it was special that Mom made it!) That night was SO cold! It was in September 10, 2005 and it was absolutely frigid. Blake's Dad brought some hand-warmers and Blake and I needed them so much so our fingers didn't freeze (he played piano and drums and I played guitar). It was a full-house with hundreds of people there. It's fun because when I've posted about this on FB, people I know now, but didn't know then will say "Oh my gosh! I was there! I totally remember you singing!"
Danielle and her friend did come to the concert. :) When they got there and parked, I was already playing and she said "oh no! He's already on stage, I can hear him!" They ended up following the sound and were able to get into the show without paying somehow. Haha. I've teased her that my concert was the only thing she has ever stolen! When I got off the stage and Jon Schmidt started playing, Danielle came up and gave me a hug and told me good job. We started dating six months later!
I still play music, but I don't sing anymore. I was never a good singer and I always knew that, but since I wrote the songs, I had to sing them! Now, I just do piano albums. I've released 4 and I'm working on the 5th now. Our girls like to listen to "Daddy Music" at bedtime on their Alexa, so I've tried to record all my piano music as slow, lullaby style music.
Derek's Piano covers will need to be another blog post with the "music" label, but here is a little peek. Such creative covers (and I mean the visual, although the piano pieces are too) and love how he incorporates their piano into each one!
Derek's Instagram handle IS @DRockandRoll (https://www.instagram.com/drockandroll/) which is appropriate for this music part of his life!
Back to September 10, 2005 ... Mom's had mentioned the concert in one of her emails:
"We've only been to one concert in our life---Peter Breinholt (sp?) at the Sandy Amphitheater with Derek back in his dating days before Danielle. Oh, and I guess the Jon Schmidt one at Thanksgiving Point when Derek and his friend Blake, opened for him, when he just started dating Danielle. It was Sept. and we about froze to death."
Ah, musical memories ... and cold fingers!
