My Journey of Music

If you are reading this, I would really like to share part of my story—a journey molded by music, struggles, and those people who became my family.

My name is Bruce, and music has been ever-present beside me since I was five years old. I still recall the day I got my very first guitar. It wasn't simply a plaything—it was the start of my lifelong bond with music. I had to teach myself to play, strumming away in my room, finding out through listening and trying things out. As I grew older, I picked up other instruments too, each one greatly increasing my world and providing me with new means of expressing myself.

Everything changed for me at age 15. That's when Kelly entered my life. She observed the pain that I held onto, and instead of backing off, she really reached out to me. Kelly took me under her wing, listened to my music, and introduced me to Bill and Sally. The four of us then got together and started making up and setting to music songs. Those very special musical sessions were more than just creating music—they were searching for hope and forming connections. We called ourselves Cowboy Cadence, and as we made music and created songs together, our friendship developed even further. Over time we were more than just a group; we were a family. Of course, I never told my family about them. Looking back on that right now is just another blunder from way back then

A New Home on the Ranch

When I turned eighteen, yet another major chapter started out for me. Bill, who was living with Sally then—they were a couple—invited me to move in with them on his ranch. Not long after, Kelly joined our group too. The ranch itself was something very special; it was a family property that had been passed down to Bill. It was more than just a house—it really felt like a sanctuary, a place where all of us would belong. Those wide-open spaces and such a peaceful environment became our true creative haven. Living together at the ranch further solidified our bond. We'd write songs till very late at night, share meals and laughter, and look after each other through all the ups and downs. It really did feel like a home based on music and friendship.

Life on the Ranch

Working in restaurants and security weren't my only jobs. Life on the ranch became an integral part of my story itself. Alongside Bill, Kelly, and Sally, I labored every day caring for the horses, looking after the cattle, and collecting eggs from the chickens—just to mention a few of our tasks. There was always some task to be performed, and we all pitched in together. Ranch life taught me the true value of teamwork and responsibility in an entirely new way. This brought us closer as a family and created a very real bond with the land and animals all around us.

Ten Years of Pure Creation (1985–1995)

Between 1985 and 1995, we found ourselves within one of the most creative and rewarding periods of our lives. During this decade Cowboy Cadence Music really took off—untouched by external forces or expectations. We created and composed our very own music, staying close to our hearts and stories themselves. We didn't go chasing after fads or bother trying to fit into someone else's mold—our songs truly reflected our journey, our battles, and our joy.

We played wherever music was wanted and welcome—at tiny local events, competitions held at the state fair, in nursing homes where we'd bring smiles to faces, in nightclubs where we'd get the crowd really moving, and even at weddings. It was quite an honor when couples began looking for us to write custom songs for that special day themselves. Crafting those special pieces for brides and grooms really made their weddings stand out and be remembered, and that gave us a reason for being and a lot of pride in our art form itself. Each performance, each song request, and each genuinely heartfelt 'thank you' served as a constant reminder as to why we first started creating music all together back in the first place. These smaller events continued on after I finished high school in 1989.

Loss and Silence (1995–2026)

By 1995, Kelly and I had really drawn closer and were making plans to be married. We were all excited and nervous, ready to start a new chapter together with the friends that had become our family around us. But just a week before our wedding, tragedy struck in a way I could never have imagined. After a concert, as Bill, Sally, and Kelly were driving home, a tractor-trailer crashed into their car on the freeway. Instantly, all three of my dearest friends were gone.

The loss was unbearable. The music, which had once been my salvation itself, also became a source of pain so severe that I couldn't bear it. I stopped playing altogether and carefully saved all of our recordings—our dreams and memories—unable to listen to them without being overwhelmed with sorrow. For many years the music of Cowboy Cadence remained in boxes, stored away on 11-bit cassette tapes—untouched and unheard.

Restoring the Melody (2026 and Beyond)

It wasn't until 2025—as the 40th anniversary of Cowboy Cadence Music approached—that I finally found the courage to return to those tapes. The pain was still there, but so was the love and the legacy of what we'd created together. I decided it was time to restore our music—not just for myself but for the memory of Bill, Sally, and Kelly and for anyone who might find hope in our story.

With new technology I started the process of transferring our old 11-bit cassette recordings onto 24-bit quality, giving new life to the songs we wrote together. It's a journey of healing, remembering, and rediscovering. After all these years I'm finally able to listen, play, and share our music again.

My life's been a journey—from darkness to light, from isolation to belonging, from truly unimaginable loss to a place of remembrance and hope. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that music and memories can heal and that with the right people—no matter how long they're with you—anything is possible.