by Todd Beauchamp, Sherman Oaks, CA

One night, in the middle of a particularly great show at the Tin Angel, Francis Dunnery asked the audience to raise their hands if they were doing what they love with their lives. It was a sold-out show and two hands went up. He said he didn’t know any sculptors who secretly wished they were stock brokers, but he knew loads of corporate types who longed for the artistic life. Then he launched into a rousing rendition of “Riding on the Back” and the whole audience sang together as one.

Afterwards, we all got in our cars and went home, high from a great concert, but that moment nagged me for weeks. At 27 years old, I was spending 90% of my time doing stuff I didn’t hate, and 10% of my time doing the things I loved.

Eventually that math stopped working for me, and I needed to go. I packed everything I owned in my car and moved to Los Angeles without knowing a single person there. In the five years since, I’ve played on almost every stage in this town, recorded 3 albums, made the best friends of my life and finally found the perfect woman. I even got a tan.

Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t all been roses. It’s been an uphill climb. I’ve also been broke, evicted, and friendless. Sometimes all at the same time. Yet through it all, I know that I’m actually living my life now instead of just passing through it. I wouldn’t have done it if Francis didn’t push me that night. And for that, I thank him.