My name is Brent Bly. I was born in Toledo, Ohio. I was reborn in the Netherlands in 2006 (long story…don’t ask). I was raised in Toledo and I have live in both Michigan and Kentucky. That explains my use of the word “y’all”. I wasn’t a normal kid…or so I’m told. I played a lot of sports, back before video games took over kids lives. Baseball was my favorite. I loved sports and being active. I still weight train 5 days a week. I’m in better shape now that I was in high school.
I hated school. Still do. I never got a chance to express myself as a writer as much as I should have. Most of it was interpreting other peoples works. I played in the orchestra from 2nd grade to about 8th. I played viola and cello. In high school I was too hip and cool to be in orchestra. One of the many stupid decisions I’ve made in my life. I was a member of the National Honors Society in high school and was a 4 year varsity starter on the baseball team. I had unlimited potential, but had way too many emotional issues to be as good as I should. Looking back, I made mountains out of molehills.
I was working for ODOT one summer. A guy that I worked for had a drum kit at the church in which his father was a Pasteur. He asked me if I wanted to try to play them. The moment I put that drum stick in my hand my life changed. Of course I played too loud, and I’m told that I still do. But that one day at the church set into motion the journey of my musical odyssey.
I played drums in local bands. Some good, some not so good. I was in a trio called SPK. They put a microphone back behind the drums. They needed back up vocals. So now I’m a singer. Then this song needed lyrics, so not waiting for anyone else to do it I wrote the lyrics to my 1st song…called TURNED TO STONE. I tapped into my love for writing stories that was pissed away in school. So from drummer, to drummer/singer, to the complete musician that I am today…..that was my journey. I’ve only been playing guitar for about 4 years, and bass guitar for about 2. I’m still honing my skills as a complete songwriter. Vocal melodies, chord progressions, and my attempts at guitar solos. My guitar playing makes me glad that it’s so easy to edit with PRO TOOLS.
I recorded an album as a member of the band MONEYSHOT….playing drums and singing lead and backing vocals. I did my 1st solo album in 2007, an all acoustic album called NAKED TO THE WORLD. I describe that album as someone becoming a songwriter. I cringe at some of the things that I did on that record, but that was my starting point. I posted my latest project, an album called BEFORE WE CAN RUN on this site. It’s where I’m at now as a musician (well OK…last August thru December). But it’s not where I’m headed, or now what I’m writing now. But I think the songs are good. Hope you do too.
MODEL???? I was doing a shoot for my website. I posted a picture from that shoot on a modeling website and was contacted by some photographers. I’ve done 3 shoots since then. I’m looking to do more. I don’t consider myself a model at all. The main purpose is to get attention to my music. I pride myself as being a “total package” A lot of bands look good but their songs lack substance, and in all honesty are just plain dumb. See 80’s hair metal. Most musicians who have substance kind of have no real style. My goal is to have both. I want to have depth in my lyrics and music and to look stylish doing it. But there is a thin line between depth and self-indulgence, which I’ve crossed once or twice….and you’ll never see me with red leather pants on (unless I’m being sarcastic….which I tend to do) or hair sprayed up to the sky looking like one of those 80’s metal idiots.
So what does my future hold???? Hell if I know. But for now enjoy the songs and the pictures.