PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. — Army son Brett Freshour and his band Locksmith play a set during open-mic night at the Hobson Student Activity Center on the Presidio of Monterey. Because of the constant moves common to military families, Fort Sill, Ok...
PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. Aca,!" Local band Locksmith has already garnered attention, albeit unwanted, from neighbors complaining about the loud music coming from one of the homes that rests in Ord Military Community.
But whether itAca,!a,,cs living in these moments of infamy or playing for fans, new and old, at Aca,!A"open micAca,!A? nights at local cafes and bookstores, Brett Freshour is doing what he loves: performing with his band.
Brett is and has been the leader of his band since he received his first guitar at the age of 10, said Annette Stewart, mother and, arguably, BrettAca,!a,,cs biggest fan since the beginning.
Aca,!A"I remember a moment I saw him trying and trying to play his guitar,Aca,!A? Stewart said.
Aca,!A"He was so small and was really just trying to hit the right notes; it was cute,Aca,!A? she added.
Brandon Freshour, BrettAca,!a,,cs older brother, noted that this passion does not run in the family.
Aca,!A"Let me put it this way,Aca,!A? said Brandon, Aca,!A"we both got guitars, and I was bored with it right away, (but) he wouldnAca,!a,,ct put his down.Aca,!A?
Realizing his musical interest was not just a passing curiosity, Stewart offered to enroll Brett in lessons, but, she said, he was determined to learn on his own terms.
Aca,!A"He was always reserved and would tell me he wanted to figure it out for himself,Aca,!A? she said. Aca,!A"He was always self-motivated and really independent about his art.Aca,!A?
However, for Brett, his motivations back then were not quite that deep.
Aca,!A"I thought it would just be something cool to say: IAca,!a,,cm in a band,Aca,!A? Brett said.
While Brett began his music career playing otherAca,!a,,cs work just to be Aca,!A"in a band,Aca,!A? over time he has been inspired by rock legend singer-songwriters Tom Petty and Jimi Hendrix who motivated him to sink his teeth into other aspects of music such as composing and writing original material.
Aca,!A"I wrote songs very early in my life, and I would take in criticism,Aca,!A? said Brett, who, still early in his career, admits that it is hard to hear Aca,!A"you suck.Aca,!A? He added that the worst experience his band has had so far performing was having mayonnaise packets thrown at them during one of their shows.
But, he admitted that the criticism helped him to fix and fine tune the songs he had and to build on his songwriting and music.
Given time, BrettAca,!a,,cs abilities have matured. And most bands need time to cultivate. The members need to spend time Aca,!" often years Aca,!" growing together. But time is often one thing a member of a military family usually doesnAca,!a,,ct have.
With a mother who is a former Soldier and a step-father who is company commander of F Company, 229th Military Intelligence Battalion, moving is commonplace and makes staying in a band tough.
However, BrettAca,!a,,cs found a benefit to his many uprootings. He said he believes the moves Aca,!" in addition to the Presidio of Monterey, his family has lived on Army bases in Oklahoma and Hawaii Aca,!" have only elevated his musical growth.
Aca,!A"These experiences put me in more positions to write music,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"To get to move and see the things IAca,!a,,cve seen are inspirational.Aca,!A?
One fellow band member agrees that the Fort Sill, Okla.-born singer-songwriterAca,!a,,cs many moves have benefited his artistic work.
Some of the music he writes is very unusual, drummer Josh Waters said, explaining he believes that BrettAca,!a,,cs style has an influence that is obviously not local, that heAca,!a,,cs soaked up the music flavors from the places heAca,!a,,cs lived and incorporated them into his work.
Aca,!A"He has a variety of music that is fun to play,Aca,!A? added guitarist Alex Ewing. Aca,!A"We all pull together to make this happen; youAca,!a,,cre not here because you have to be.Aca,!A?
Aca,!A"IAca,!a,,cve always liked all aspects of music; writing, performing and studio work,Aca,!A? Brett said, explaining that he realizes the band isnAca,!a,,ct all about him and that, when they get together daily, everybody contributes.
Regardless of what his bandmates, including brother Brandon, bring to the group, Brett said that the biggest contributors to his band are his mother and step-father.
Aca,!A"I mean, if it wasnAca,!a,,ct for them,Aca,!A? Brett said, Aca,!A"I wouldnAca,!a,,ct have gotten that guitar that started it all.Aca,!A?
With BrettAca,!a,,cs upcoming graduation from high school in June and prospects of moving again coming ever closer, no one can see what the future holds for Locksmith Aca,!" or for Brett for that matter Aca,!" but one thing remains constant because of what music brought to the family table.
Aca,!A"I think it brought us closer,Aca,!A? Stewart said, anxiously awaiting her sonAca,!a,,cs next performance. Aca,!A"IAca,!a,,cll always love him endlessly and would never steer him wrong. Aca,!A| IAca,!a,,cm committed, heAca,!a,,cs my son.Aca,!A?
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