A RedBird is Hatched: BTS of Our First Show

Feb 11

Picture it - Tulsa, 2023.

I’d been wrestling with the idea of concert photography for a little of a year and just past the one year anniversary of losing my dad. I had his words playing over and over in my head - “You never know where it could take you.”

So I made the leap.

At this point, I’d built a friendship with Casey West through a summer of Tuesday night open mics. When he had a show come up opening for Dax Perrier at The Vanguard, something told me that this was the opportunity I’d been waiting for. I reached out to Casey and let him know that I was interested in taking pictures for him and despite being a photographer for over 10 years, I had zero experience in this realm. Without hesitation, he told me to come on out and bring the camera with me.

Casey took a chance on me that night and it’s something that I will forever be grateful for. It not only initiated the beginning days of RedBird, but it also was the true beginning of a great friendship. I think it’s safe to say that Casey isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. He can be a bit direct (understatement) and isn’t afraid to speak his mind, even if his opinion isn’t going to be liked. But those that are drawing conclusions about him from that alone are missing out on one of the most genuine humans I’ve ever met. Over the years, I have seen him go out of his way to support not only me in my career goals but several local artists get their starts as well. He has spent several nights encouraging, coaching, and empowering those who were nervous but eager to learn and grow with no personal gain. This industry is tough, and he’s the kind of people that are hard to come by.

Enough about him though, let’s get back to the real star - me.

I’d tried my hand at several form of photography over the years, but this night was something different. It came so naturally to me and the only word I can think of to describe it is home.

“You never know where it could take you.”

The words played over and over. I knew then that my dad was right (imagine that) and I’d been delaying for far too long.

This is what I was meant to do. This is the art I was meant to create. These are the stories I was meant to tell.

Ever since I was a kid, I have felt that there is something magical about live music. The energy of the crowd, the way the ground shakes when everyone stomps their feet, the sound of a chorus of strangers singing along to the same words and — even just for a moment — connecting on a deeper level than they ever would in a normal encounter. You know that part of the Grinch when his heart grows 3 sizes too big? That’s how my heart feels at a show.

Even in this I’m struggling to describe it in a way that does that feeling justice. So finally, FINALLY, I’ve found a compromise. Why tell people how I see live music when I can show it?

Through RedBird, I’ve been able to connect with a part of myself that I never dreamed I could, which has given me the space to bare my soul to the world. It’s scary at times, but it has been so rewarding because I’ve now been given the opportunity to grow my circle with people just like me.