How a Rock Star Influenced Me to be a Better Person

How to write a song, where do you start? I began to play guitar in my teens,15 to be exact. I found it hard but yet satisfying as I progressed. As I continued to get better at playing, I naturally decided to try my hand at writing my own piece.

I got introduced to The Goo Goo Dolls very young. They were constantly playing in my house.  They are my mom’s favorite band. I always liked them but as I started to play guitar, I developed a new sense of respect for lead singer and songwriter John Rzeznik. He has become the most influential and inspiring person in my life not just as a musician but as a person. I have seen him many times live but never met him. I took a look at how he began his writing process. 

In the video below he talks about how he starts with just his guitar. Then builds on melody and then the lyrics. I love the process and can make a similar connection when I compose songs.

Songwriting is an art. It has always fascinated me. John writes from a place deep, from an emotional place. He says, “Write what you know”.  #Songwriting #Artist

What inspires me also about Mr. Rzeznik is as a person, his lack of ego. He is a rock star, but you wouldn’t know it. Whether he is on stage or sitting for an interview, he is dynamic, engaging, and very funny. He doesn’t seem to take himself seriously all the time. Don’t get me wrong, he is all business when he is playing but not above being goofy and just having fun. In this clip, he comes on stage with Train to do a song in his bathrobe. The crowd loved it! I aspire to be a person who let's go and has fun. John seems to never take himself too seriously. #Rockstar #Googoodolls

Lastly, he has tremendous respect for his fans and their love of the band and him. What I find so admirable is his appreciation of his fanbase and his humbleness. He always thanks them for coming out and makes sure they know just how much they mean to the band, “We wouldn’t be here without you!” Rzeznik states. In this video he talks about his fans. Their base continues to grow and now includes 20-somethings like me. He has influenced me is so many ways. As a musician and a human being. #Influential #Humble