I’ve always had music and musicians in my life, and from an early age, was awed by how they ‘go somewhere’ when performing. I set out to record one of those moments today. Playing notes is certainly engrossing; singing lyrics is as well, and on another level. The words to every song are tell a story. Whether Love, Loss, Celebration or Narrative, the singer embodies the message and becomes the messenger. When I invited my friend to allow me a portrait session with him singing, he was a bit shy at first, self-conscious even. This from someone who’s been singing and playing professionally for 30+ years and all over this continent. It was bittersweet for me, because I had never seen this side of him before. It occurred to me that when he’s on stage, regardless how big or small, he’s ‘in the band’ and what I was asking him to do was allow me, and just me, to witness and photograph him as he sang. He put on a song, happens to be a favorite for both of us, and let it rip. Full blast, no holding back. I drained most of the color out of this image because I felt it added grit to do so. I was very close when I shot this, and my subject was oblivious to that because he was immersed in conveying the poetry so meaningful to him. Being the witness is awesome.