Playing at ONESOUND Music Festival at El Rancho last Saturday June 15th was more than just another gig for me. It was a defining moment for me … I came home – full circle – back to my roots.

I spent so much of my teenage days at El Rancho Camp in Waikanae that I’ve lost count. It was another wintry Saturday night 30 years ago that I sat alone in front of Redwood Hall’s roaring fire strumming some new chords. The hall was silent except for the spitting and crackling flames and my stumbling chord changes … and then it happened … all of a sudden I was struck with inspiration and scribbled out lyrics with those 3 chords.

One of my first songs was born – ‘The Road’ – and I had no idea what it would mean beyond that night.

I was 17 and young and naive, with preconceived ideas of how life worked and how I had it all figured out – yeah right! ‘The Road’ was my prayer, knowing that God is with us and walks with us through life no matter what happens – we just need to trust him and keep walking with Him.

You can imagine how amazing it was for me to take the stage more than 30 years later last Saturday, in the very same hall, right in front of the same fireplace, in Redwood Hall, at the ONESOUND Festival, to share songs that tell the story of my life, with my son Jesse at side of stage running the tracks for the songs! My life’s not always been what I expected but God has walked with me through thick and thin – He never leaves us.

30 years full circle back to my roots … with the One who’s never left me.

Pete

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