We had the good fortune of connecting with blakedamnsure and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi blakedamnsure, why did you pursue a creative career?
Since I was a kid, following the norm of what’s expected in life never appealed to me. Watching music videos led to making my own music. Reading stories and watching movies led to me creating my own novels. The stories I have to tell through my lyrics and novels are endless.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m currently the singer, guitarist and lyricist for the band Just Fan Fiction. I began performing music when I was 15 in a band called Failure To Notice, throughout high school. My second band, The Hostile Redemption achieved success, getting to open for large acts including Lit, and Saving Abel. Despite the demise of both of those bands, as well as my short lived band called Reckless & Royal, I found myself drawn to write music not limited to one genre, but finding a sound that explores multiple different elements and story telling. Every song I’ve written comes from personal experience. At the age of 31, I’ve faced a lot more than most. I was a single father by 20 years old, I got married and divorced by 26, got engaged to some else, that failed, and my best friend ended our friendship…one of my daughters was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 28 and she was just shy of 3 years old. All of this that I faced led me to a dark depression that only music was able to save me from. Music, and meeting my wife. I learned that love, and pursuing what you love is what makes life worth living. Anything less is unacceptable and worrying what people think is a waste of time. It’s what I think of me that matters the most. People are going to talk no matter what you do, and negativity will always come from others. The most important thing you can do is make sure that the negativity doesn’t come from inside of yourself. I’ve turned all of my demons into music, and therefore feel like I’ve won every battle because of that simple fact.

I’m in the process of releasing my first novel as well, entitled Secrets of the Song. Think Nicholas Sparks love tragedy meets rock n roll. It’s exciting doing something different than music and I’m very eager to see how it’s received. I’m extremely proud of the story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Funny this is mentioned cause one of my best friends is visiting the Houston area in May/June, and I’m super excited to show him around!

We’re going to hit the taco trucks in the northwest area of town, and go to papasitos for the best Tex-mex available. The local music scene in the northwest area of town is full of absolute gems of all genres-that is a must. I’m hoping we’re able to hit up lake Conroe as well-I haven’t been in a long time, and a visit is overdue.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family-I couldn’t pursue my creative outlets without the support of my wife, Kelley. She’s brought out the best in me since the day we met. My eight children, Kensleigh, Sophia, Lillah, Charlie, Juliet, Owen, June, and Evelynn keep me motivated to chase my dreams and show them that dreams are worth chasing and that it’s what makes life worth living. I have the best parents as well. I couldn’t do the musical part of this without my bandmates from Just Fan Fiction, Kevin, Adrian, and Q, who are also my best friends.

I credit Blink 182 & Third Eye Blind for keeping me inspired musically, as well as the authors Nicholas Sparks and JK Rowling for helping push me to write novels.

Instagram: @blakedamnsure

Facebook: @blakedamnsure

Youtube: @justfanfictionhtx

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CDaRYhkXfEKlbbUvly0aX?si=hCq1BPArSqC2hDquwcgPeg

Image Credits
Georgie Roe Kelley Hill

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