Back in 2011, I started sitting in at the Sea Monster Lounge with the guys who’d become the first incarnation of the Allen Stone Electric Ensemble.

I didn’t have a lot going on. My rock band had broken up, and I’d half-heartedly released a few solo tunes, knowing I didn’t possess the emotional wherewithal to do much with them.

When the chance to sub for my buddy RL Heyer on Sunday nights came up, I suppose I was too indifferent about music at the time to say no. So I said yes. The rest, as they say, is ludicrously improbable and suspect history.

Back in 2011, I decided to take a leap of faith with Al and the guys, not because I thought it would last (precious little does in this business) or that it made sense (the organization at the time embraced what could be politely described as an “improvisational flair”), but because I knew that in restraint lurks the shadow of doubt that prevents me from changing my life.