Most attendees at the Aster Cafe in Minneapolis that night likely thought he was a drunk, oblivious stranger passing by. They weren’t far off. It was my slightly inebriated cousin Erik, doing a dare by his slightly more sober brother Karl. They were only sorry that the shenanigans just so happened to be during my most introspective song, called “Faith and Doubt,” about a person’s struggle with Christianity. If you were at this concert, on behalf of them and me, I apologize. Rather than reflecting on religion, “Faith and Doubt” was probably more about your struggle to keep from laughing.
The truth is, Karl and Erik are a big reason I got into music in the first place. Growing up, we’d often spend New Year’s at their parents’ house. They introduced me to The Beatles, Nirvana, and Simon & Garfunkel. Since my parents didn’t allow secular music in our house, I could only return the favor by introducing them to Michael W. Smith and Sandi Patty.
Karl started playing guitar before me. When I got interested, he’d show me how to play different guitar riffs. I was in awe of his band in high school; they got actual paying gigs. And Erik had a Simon and Garfunkel cover band in college called Bridge Over Bottled Water (I’ve yet to hear of a better cover band name).
It’s funny how we all have people influencing us, even right now, and we have no idea how big of an effect it will have until our story unfolds further down the road.
For me, Karl and Erik are two of those people. And while they may have pulled a prank on me, it was a gift. A photo representing more than just a funny prank. It represents family and the undeniable influence they’ve had on me, for which I’ll always be grateful.
Love,
Aaron
Bwaaahaaa!!! Cousins!!