Aspen Colorado

For years, I’ve had the privilege of sitting across from aspiring musicians in the studio. We work on the foundations of the muscle memory of an A-minor chord, the alternate picking, or the rhythmic pocket of a solid drum fill. But as a teacher, my ultimate goal isn’t just to teach you how to play an instrument, it’s to inspire you. And for some though, it’s also to prepare for the stage. In the near future, I’ll be using those same techniques to prepare for our first upcoming gig…

I am so incredibly excited to announce a major milestone for my current project, Dreams Unwind. On May 22nd, Dreams Unwind will be taking the stage for our very first live show out in Aspen, Colorado. We aren’t just playing any corner bar, we are making our debut at the legendary Belly Up Aspen.

The Venue

For those who don’t know, the Belly Up is iconic. It’s an intimate, 450-capacity room at the base of Aspen Mountain that has hosted everyone from BB King and Joe Walsh to LCD Soundsystem and Snoop Dogg. It is known for its world-class production, crystal-clear sound, and an audience that knows their music. For a first gig, it’s both terrifying and exciting.

But here is the connection to what we do in our lessons in Greeley- The bigger the stage, the more important the basics become.

How to Prepare

People often ask what happens during band rehearsal for a gig this size. They assume we are just “jamming.” But it’s actually a lot deeper than that. We are working. We are taking the same fundamental skills I stress to my beginner students and applying them under high pressure.

When you practice a complex guitar solo, you are building the confidence to play it when you are nervous. When we rehearse for the Belly Up, we are ensuring that when the smoke machine starts and 450 people are staring at us, our fingers will know exactly where to go, even if our brains are frozen.

Playing live isn’t just about the notes; it’s about preparation. It’s about knowing your gear inside and out, knowing how to recover if you make a mistake, and knowing how to lock in with the rest of your bandmates—especially that drummer.

Why I Love Teaching

As I prepare with Dreams Unwind for our mountain debut, I’m reminded of why I love teaching. The journey from those first challenging lessons to holding a guitar on a legendary stage is exactly what is possible. It’s not magic…it’s preparation.

We hope some of our Northern Colorado family can make the trip to Aspen on May 22nd to share this night with us!!

For more info, check out our website at dreamsunwindband.com or send me a message.