I spent the next few days in rehearsals with my band during the day, and with Logan every night. We were getting into a groove, Logan and I, settling into a rhythm with our lives.

"We're not going to practice tomorrow, but let's get to the Powder Keg Tavern a bit early to warm up," I said to my band after rehearsal the night before our first public concert.

"Sounds good," Brett said as he laid his guitar in its case.

Over the past week, we had tightened our songs ...