This photo was of me laying down a track for a heavy metal/fusion band many years ago.

Don’t be fooled by the way I’m dressed.

Many moons ago, I worked a square job-meaning a 9-5 day gig. I was a financial services rep for MetLife and also a banker at Chase. Yeah, I did what I had to do.

On this day, I came from working at the bank, and went right into the studio.

People at those jobs often asked me what style of music I played. Most thought I was a jazz musician because of my suit and tie. Little did they know, after work, I was playing hardcore rock, be-bop, world music, funk, disco, heavy metal, country, and believe it or not, show tunes.

In 2006, I left all of that day job stuff to play in musicals full-time to support my family. I couldn’t take faking it. I never liked selling things I didn’t always believe in.

I always found it interesting how people make assumptions by a person’s outward appearance. It’s true that it matters, but in my case, the way I dress has little resemblance to how I think.

I may look conservative and wholesome, but I’m quite a different person when the sun goes down. Hey, don’t let that rebel stuff fool you either. I’ve become quite a conservative since I’ve seen the realities of human nature-especially the way fathers get treated in family court.

In my head, I’ll always zig while everyone around me is zagging. I never liked conformity or following rules that the rest of society says we should. I’m always going to be true to myself.

Especially in times like today.