Don't tell me I can't do something.

I still remember one of the first times that anyone told me that I can't do something, more so they said I shouldn't do this or do that but in relation to the fact that I just couldn't do it.

Oddly enough it was actually my dad and my step mom in relation to drumming, they supported me being involved in music because they helped me buy a guitar but they were the first of many to tell me that I couldn't make a living as a drummer because it wasn't melodic enough, songwriters use guitars or piano to write songs. Although their intentions were kind hearted, it completely pissed me off that they thought that there was anything in this world that I couldn't do. I refuse to believe that with enough effort and the proper knowledge there is anything that can't be done.

I don't yet have kids and one day may or may not, but for those of you who do have kids or plan to have kids, NEVER tell them they can't do something. Truly, this day in age anything is possible. "Those who don't try, never look foolish." I'm perfectly happy looking foolish if it allows me the experience of trying something new or getting me one step closer to my end goals. Fear should not dictate your actions or your advice. That's all it is, is fear of looking foolish or sounding foolish in some way or another. Don't Be Afraid! I'm not going to presume to tell you what life is about, but I do know that life is not about living in fear, get over it!

So to my dad and step mom I say, "Eat It" because not only is it completely possible to write songs as a percussionist with percussion instruments but I can even write melodic sounding music with un-pitched percussion and pieces that are not intended for melodic purposes.

I'm continually working toward changing people's perception in every way, but specifically music and even more specifically percussion. There are projects in the works currently that you wouldn't expect and when they hit the scene you won't know what hit you. I look forward to it, I hope you'll join me on the journey through musical perception.

Mahola P. Willikers