Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dan Rubright. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Dan, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I believe that our purpose is there within us, and always has been. Our passions and how they got ignited hold some of the deepest clues as to our true self, which when discovered, reveals our purpose.
I was shy kid, lonely and had self-esteem issues. I was hungry for connection, belonging and meaning. In other words, I was a typical teenager.
I remember being transfixed by my older brother’s rock band. The four-piece group, 340 East, would jam for hours in our basement. They were so cool, laughing, rocking out and making beautiful original music. The energy was addictive. It sucked me in as I watched and listened. “I want to be a part of THIS!” Luckily, my mom noticed and bought me an electric guitar: a cheap Gibson Les Paul copy that had serious tuning issues. It was perfect!
I figured out how to play some chords and eventually 340 East let me join them as a rhythm guitarist. My first gig was playing with them for my junior high school’s dance. OMG, I felt like a rock star! It was so fun, and the little bit of status I got felt good. My brother and his band mates were also part of the school orchestra, concert band and marching band. This allowed them to be immersed in the culture and community of music engagement that wasn’t available for guitarists. There wasn’t a guitar orchestra. As much as I loved rock and roll, I started taking lessons and eventually became more and more interested in complex harmonies and different sounds which led to… jazz. And there was a jazz band at school-so that’s the route I took.
I forgot to mention that I was and am a deeply curious person. I immediately got hooked on making up my own chords, melodies and riffs. I didn’t know what any of it was called and didn’t care–the guitar neck was just an ocean-sized playground for my imagination. It was therapy! I always felt so much better after composing. And I still do, after all these years.
I had what I call a “Big Wow” moment a few years later when I first heard the music of jazz guitarist, Pat Metheny. His soaring melodies and boundlessly creative songs had a power and intimacy that made a huge imprint on me. They spoke to my soul, almost beckoning me, “do you hear this beautiful hidden universe? It’s for real. You can find your own path here…” I drank up his music and literally wore the grooves off my vinyl recordings. If that’s a job, I thought, sign me up. Touring the world writing and performing original music to large and rapturous crowds? Duh…I’m in.
I have since learned that most musicians had some sort of Big Wow moment as well. And each one is completely different. Maybe it’s a hearing a Beethoven symphony for the first time, or The Beatles, Prince, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Lady GaGa, Kendrick Lamar or Taylor Swift. Pat Metheny’s Big Wow was hearing the music of jazz guitar icon, Wes Montgomery.
After high school, I shipped out to study music in college: at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. I majored in jazz and studio guitar. It was kind of like going to Hogwarts-with the goal of trying to figure out how to make magic. I plastered myself to small practice rooms, memorizing scales, arpeggios and songs, often glued to a metronome.
If I could capture one-one-hundredth of the power my hero seemed to have and a growing list of new heroes, I thought, I would be content. Everything in life would fall into place.
What I found was that there wasn’t any magic. It was just hard work. A LOT of hard work, but I poured myself into it. After a year, I was not just a “student” but a young musician. I was confident and even cocky. But toward the end of that year there was a strange, unsettling feeling percolating.
In my sophomore year, I hit a wall. Had I burned myself out? What’s happening to me? Dark clouds that had been rolling in where now inside of me. I was anxious, depressed, numb and could barely concentrate. I was fatigued and confused. I faked it well enough, got through my classes but felt like a shell of my former self. It made practicing almost impossible. I knew I was capable of so much more, but I could barely drag myself through the day. I felt all alone in this awful place. How long will this last? Will I survive this? It’s not fair! God, Universe, where are you? What did I do to deserve this?
But nothing seemed to help. I tried a few therapists, but that didn’t work. Ministers- no better. The meds I tried didn’t work. I gutted it out.
Perhaps the excitement and certainty of my path were wearing off and reality was sinking in. Now there were looming doubts. The thrill of my dream and the image of my future started to crack. I became aware of other musicians around me, often better, more talented, able to concentrate and dig in in a way that I couldn’t. I started to see my deficiencies and it was depressing me. I developed a huge case of imposter’s syndrome. One minute I was convinced I was amazing, and the next that I sucked, and it was hopeless. “Who are you kidding?” I thought.
I eventually found a good therapist, John, who over time started to show me parts of me I hadn’t considered before. He taught me how to listen to myself and hear the messages that were streaming through my head. My perfectionist had a particularly harsh voice. “Put that stick down and cut yourself some slack,” was a phrase John used a lot. Slowly a light came on.
I was now spending as much time reading up on psychology, spirituality, faith traditions and personal growth literature. I minored in psychology. There was this whole new realm opening- like an ah ha moment that called me to further explore this inner landscape. I became aware of what I call the “inner” instrument, which, like an external musical instrument, has its own signature voice, tone, frequency, volume, and needs. And just like learning and growing as a musician, this inner world was also based on listening. Everything’s based on listening!
I realized that I was in two schools: Music School and Self School.
While in my darkest days, I made a vow that one day, if I ever got through it, I would share with others my lessons learned and how I found hope and healing.
I have been lucky to be able to pursue my passion for music and make a living at the same time. I am one of the top call guitarists in St. Louis, I’ve won awards, led various bands, taught at renowned universities, and have performed with numerous well-known artists and groups.
I wake each day with a deep sense of gratitude, and, with coffee brewing, compose whatever comes to mind.
Last Year, I took the time to write a book, called, The Musician’s Dilemma: A Guide for Integrating Your Passion for Music with Real Life. In it I share not only my story but the story of many others who have journeyed down a similar trail of discovery. In bringing together my two deepest passions, music and psychology, I finally achieved what I vowed to do all those years ago. I describe many of the tools that helped me-mostly based on how to use self-listening as a transformational practice.
What I was after all along was a deeper connection to others and the ability to offer beauty.
Purpose is different from passion. It’s higher. It’s a sacred contract that is seeded within and must be watered with love, attention and surrender. It’s about allowing our own unique voice to rise. In time, it takes flight, and the gift is offered back to the community as encouragement for others.
For me, a new chapter of service has opened and I’m following the pull of inspiration, wherever it leads. In addition to performing and composing, I speak to audiences of all ages, coach individuals, and I spread a message that charges people to listen to themselves in new ways in order to find their best offer to the world.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In addition to being a working musician and composer, I speak to audiences about overcoming imposters syndrome, finding a creative path through negative external and internal messages and how to listen in deeper more powerful ways to discover one’s unique voice and professional offer. I encourage musicians (and non-musicians alike) that there is a way to balance one’s deepest passions with the needs and demands of real life. I am a music and creative coach, speaker and workshop leader.
I developed a program called the Jazz of Teams that I share with corporate clients.
I lead two groups: The Wire Pilots and The Dan Rubright Group.
I am currently an adjunct professor of music at Washington University in St. Louis.
Upcoming Events:
September 30, 2023. Dan Rubright, John Covelli and Ben Wheeler perform the music of Ennio Morricone as well as selected originals. 8:00 p.m. Jack’s Place, St. Louis.
October 1, 2023 Speaking at The Ethical Society of St. Louis: The Art of Collaboration. 9:00 a.m.
October 4, 2023 Performing and Speaking at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara CA.
October 14, 2023 The Musician’s Dilemma Workshop, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. St. Louis, MO
November 14-26, 2023 guitarist for Tina: the Tina Turner Musical at the Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity, humility and discipline. Remaining curious will help you get through any situation, provided you remain humble. Showing up to life with this mindset will allow for continued learning and new opportunities to emerge. Learning to listen to one’s own inner voice and it’s leading is the most important thing of all.
I suggest writing in a journal everyday about what feelings are getting triggered in various situations. This offers a trailhead: follow where it leads. It often leads to fears that need to be owned and released. This takes time and patience, but stick with it!
By all means follow your passion areas-they hold the clues to who you are and what you need and want in life.
Don’t panic. No matter where you are or what you are doing is part of the plan. It’s all connected even if you think it’s not connected or you are wasting you time. Remain curious, ask yourself questions as though you are journalist and you are interviewing yourself. Live the word “Why.”
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest obstacle I face is how to present an authentic brand message within the social media world. My whole message is about moving away from the image, the external and towards the real and intuitive. I find it hard to match the message with the medium in a way that feels soulful and alluring but that’s also effective at reaching a large amount of people.
Contact Info:
- Website: danrubrightauthor.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.rubright.9
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dan-rubright-3796468
- Other: https://danrubrightgroup.bandcamp.com/album/dan-rubright-group
Image Credits
For the personal pic (not book cover) Photographer, Virginia Harold https://www.virginiaharold.com/
