NEW YEAR, SAME HAIR

Here we are the first full week of 2026, and already I’m entering a new phase or level in my life. Whatever you want to call it, this energy has been shifting for me since August last year. I don’t want to sound all cosmic and deep but will lay my cards on the table for all to see.

I won’t be table scraps for anyone anymore.

I spent years feeling like I had to please others and make sure they were happy, and that in turn I would feel somewhat validated. But I have noticed over time, most people have either quietly blended with the furniture, or overtly told me that they are tired of me. Fine with me. I stopped apologizing for being me a while back. Not my fault if anyone fails to understand me. It only means they enjoy being ignorant and closed-minded.

Some of you will read this and think “Wow, Steve’s being really pretentious” or “He’s a pompous ass.” You’d be right about the second part. Being pretentious was never on my bingo card. I’m an intelligent person, not smarter or better than anyone else, but I’m keenly aware of myself and the world outside. Some family members have told each other that I am obnoxious and annoying. Okay, guilty as charged. But am I really that bad? I can be a bit much for some, which means go find someone less than. Again, no apologies for who I am.

I’ve always been called a “late bloomer” which explains it has taken me many years to finally reach this point in my life, musically and otherwise. People will think if you make it at a young age, you’re set for life and you must be really smart. Not so. Of course I felt that I deserved to be a famous guitar god at 20-22 years old. I never hid that from anyone. But I was always told to be ashamed for thinking that way. When I hit my 30s, I would hear “Time to cut the hair and sell your gear.” And I heard it in my 40s but…wait…did I not make some albums, gain endorsements, and tour with legends? Get back to me on that.

So here I am at 56 years old, and am proud of that. When I turned 50, people would say “You hit a milestone.” I guess so. I never saw aging as a race to the finish line. I’ve gained more knowledge and wisdom over the years, and that can either inspire or scare people. Usually the latter. I don’t judge but if some people enjoy being blissfully unaware of things, be my guest.

I was never meant for success on a global level. I had to accept that but it was solely my thought, not anyone else who tried stopping me in my tracks. But people view success only on a global level, never local. I am a local hero, but rarely get acknowledged for it. That’s okay. I am proud of myself, proud of my talents, and am successful in more ways than being a great player. Teaching is where I truly belong, and this month will be 30 years since I met my first-ever guitar student (and we still talk to this day!)

My pie-in-the-sky mentality is gone. I had been accused of being delusional but let’s face it, you have to be a little to get ahead. And it’s only delusional until it works. And then people will say crap like “You stuck to your guns” and “Am proud of you for never giving up.” Spare me.

Oh and here’s the kicker: I always knew my worth and had a quiet confidence but disguised it with self-deprecation and feeling small around others. No more. I refuse to be at the bottom of peoples’ totem poles anymore, and that includes family as well as friends. No more will I be someone’s punching bag or sounding board. I am living for me after many years of hoping to feel validated and liked/loved. A lot of people like to hate me, and hate to like me.

That’s a THEM problem.

I will continue to be me, for better or worse. I will always be an island, a shooting star with nowhere to land. Never meant to fit anywhere. I tried, believe me. But that was not on my bingo card either.

Stick around if you want. I am only getting warmed up.