Line Crossing Stories
Realgrey has been a home for me. An artist's refuge. I came to BYS thinking I was the only starving artist who cared more about story than Stories. About people more than product. I was wrong. Thankfully! Ron has poured such love and care into Realgrey and given me a safe space over the past 6 years. He's poured into me, grown me, challenged me, and helped me process my own battles while accepting me as I am. Though i'm more transient now in the studio sphere than in the past, I will always see coming to BYS and coming on staff at Realgrey as a major turning point in my life, and Ron will always be a mentor and more importantly, a friend.
Realgrey exists for one purpose: to provide a safe, and high quality space for an artist to share their story in a truly accessible way.
In every way. I saw the unbelievable talent at BYS, and it challenged me to tell better stories. I saw what it meant to be a true craftsman. A story teller. It's made me a better producer, and better composer and arranger as I gleamed something from every session I worked, or sat in on.
There isn't enough space to truly answer this. The people of Realgrey, and the community surrounding it, have been truly impactful. John King showed me that being honest with who I am, and redefining success can lead to my most fulfilling art. Spencer Cindia showed me that there are no limits to creativity, and that when we dare to try something new, we often surprise ourselves. Anya Van Rose showed me the importance of organization, and that any creative can take their music farther with a little help from your friends. Lila Farris showed me that songs at their core, are stories. Josh Compton showed me that sometimes to understand your own story, you have to tell someone else's. Maddie Indre showed me that if you don't give up, the world begins to open up. John Yany showed me what it means to be a craftsman, and to love the labor. Joel Maze showed me that communities build art together, and sometimes the end result is the true payday. And most importantly, Ron Flack showed me how to love myself, despite my flaws and failures, to always put people first, and to just write that damn song!
