This blog is from my heart:
My musical journey has taken many twists and turns and offered untold surprises along the way (and it’s only been 3 years up to now!). But my personal, behind-the-scenes, LIFE journey has been crazier than I could ever communicate on a page or by speaking in front of a crowd of people (which I used to do frequently). I grew up, along with my 4 brothers, as a pastors kid. My parents, who just so happen to be the greatest, most virtuous people that I know (and that’s not to sound cliche), were and still are in full time ministry and have given their lives to loving, leading, serving and helping others. They sacrificed their lives in raising five HUNGRY, determined, strong-willed boys while simultaneously balancing the pressures and extreme emotional up’s and down’s that come with being involved in a line of work that only those who’ve gone through it could understand. I struggle to think of how my future wife (whomever she may be :D) will ever uncover the layers of my own emotional insecurities and learn the intricacies of who I am. Good luck future wifey! You’d better be up for a wild ride.
I love watching documentaries and reading about history. There is a certain family in by-gone days that greatly intrigues me. That family being the Kennedy’s. Yes, the political family. There is much more to this family than JFK being a past President. The patriarch of the Kennedy clan was Joseph P. Although conniving, deceptive, thieving, unfaithful to his wife, etc., the man had foresight and vision and he refused to let his children settle for second best. Sadly, built on a foundation of unscrupulous character, the family has seemingly been under a (I hesitate to use the word but I can’t think of a better one at the moment) curse. From violent deaths to drunken escapades, physical pain, divorce and brokenness, I’ve never seen such a well-to-do family with so sad a history. I think to myself, “What if Joseph would’ve been honest in his business dealings and personal life? What if he would’ve been more disciplined in his principles and the way he dealt with those whom he ended up taking advantage of”? I think it could have and would have turned out much better for his family.
Now, the greatest thing that I have ever gleaned from the Kennedy’s is their commitment and trust in one another. Their unfailing dedication to their own family! The undoubted “sureness” that their own blood had each others best interests at heart and in mind. This is something that my parents have bred into their five sons. You’ve GOT TO be able to trust your own clan. In most every line of work and especially in ministry…uh hum…I mean, entertainment, there are people everywhere that will try to take advantage of you. If you don’t have someone watching your back, then those of you innocent, trusting souls who mean well will get bent over and raped quicker than you can say “uncle”. I’m sorry for the graphic language but I don’t think any church people are reading my posts anymore (other than to use my words against me, which has happened multiple times before, still happens and in fact I’ve come to like it- I know- rather sinister of me- and no, I’m not living in bitterness…I just need a little stimulation in my life every so often) so we should be good.
Here’s a personal story from my life (please stay with me for I am going somewhere with this):
My younger brothers, Levi and Seth (affectionately stage-named Shazam and Sethro Billy Jenkins) are incredibly gifted musicians. They’ve played for my band for the past year or so and they’ve recently left Ben Union to launch their own project called MOONJUICE (not available yet but it will be SOON). If you’re a decent songwriter and you take pride in your musical musings (as I enthusiastically do from time to time), I wish you could all have a younger brother named Sethro Billy Jenkins to keep your head from getting too big. Sethro, in my humble opinion, is one of the greatest hook writers in the world right now. (I know I am biased but I’m not exaggerating). You need a kid brother who effortlessly writes songs that are ten times better than your own, not just every once in awhile but weekly. It’s a very bittersweet feeling for me. I’ll be honest…I’m jealous of his gift, but I’m relying on him for my retirement, so…GO FOR IT SETHRO!!! Either way, Levi and Seth were approached by a mid to low-level management company a few months back who noticed their material, listened to some of their demos and immediately saw their potential…yea - who couldn’t? My eldest brother, Gabriel, has been my manager since my musical beginning. He’s also done all of the management for MOONJUICE since they started and he’s fantastic at what he does. Gabriel hasn’t had any formal training yet he’s a successful businessman, trustworthy, honest, and the first rule of any form of business, he doesn’t talk shit about other people and especially about other people in his industry. So this short, fat little Mexican manager from California (who, come to find out, had previously managed ONE semi high profile band years ago and has a few good contacts) went around Gabriel (which is the first wrong thing that he did) and approached Levi and Seth about working with and managing them. He started telling Levi and Seth how he could make them superstars and get them lots of fame and money. The words dripped off of his fat, lying lips like honey and he nearly had the boys in a trance. There was excitement in the MOONJUICE air and it all sounded too good to be true. Then Gabriel found out. (Side note for free!: If anybody comes to you as an artist without first going through your chain of command, you’d better drop his ass like a bad habit. Secondly, before you go into business with anyone, you’d better talk to some people that have done business with him/her in the past and get their take on it. Thirdly… don’t ever trust a short, fat Mexican that promises the world but ain’t driving a Rolls Royce. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that he’s a scam and is trying to use you. And Fourthly, if it sounds too good to be true…I won’t even finish the sentence cause you know it. Now back to my story…)
So Gabriel found out what had been going on and jumped into the situation as was his duty and responsibility, firstly as a manager and more importantly as a brother. He threw the brakes on the whole thing which didn’t please Mister Fatty at all. Gabriel simply started asking questions and probing which perturbed this crew of miscreants. “How dare an untrained, low-level, unimportant manager question us big timers” was these guys’ attitude. But Gabriel kept his wits about him and moved forward with the proceedings. Gabe isn’t simply about control. Being a BROTHER, he has MOONJUICE’ BEST INTERESTS at heart. As a brother, he wants to see his clan go the farthest and fly the highest, without screwing anyone and without getting screwed himself. So, in being open to every possible opportunity, Gabriel allowed MOONJUICE to play a showcase for the Cali crew. Come to find out that later that night, the Fat One broke the first and unbreakable rule in this industry…he started talking shit. Not just about anyone, but about Gabriel. He said things to Levi and Seth like “Gabe doesn’t know what he’s doing.” “Gabe is naive and he doesn’t know this industry like we do.” I wish he would’ve been enough of a man to say that to my face. But he wasn’t. Not only was he fat, broke multiple industry rules, lied, and went through the entire situation with no class, he turned out to be a fat pussy. Plus, he’s one of the reasons why 99% of this industry has a bad wrap anyways. Good job, ya retard. And no, Gabriel doesn’t “know this industry like you do”. He actually has integrity and morals. What a *@##*#)$*$()%!!!
In closing… your family (if you have a good one) has your best interests in mind. You should NEVER let ANYBODY talk trash about those who care for you and have walked through the fire with you. I don’t care if it’s your hero, musical idol, celebrity, superstar, whatever. You had better stand up for your family and friends by using your MOUTH. I’ve had people try to talk trash to me about my friends and family and I simply won’t allow it. They’ll get a fat piece of my mind and if they don’t shut up, there’s gonna be a fight. I’m grateful to have the crew of brothers that I have and I’m glad that my folks decided to have 5. I trust them completely, love each of them the same and appreciate all of their unique gifts that they bring to the table. We’ve got lots of battles ahead and lots of ground to cover, but I know that I can trust them and that’s something that money (and fat Mexicans) can’t buy you. Trust your clan. Stand up for them when nobody else can or will. If you don’t, you’re doomed. I love you Gabe, Jared, Levi and Seth! Peace out,
BU
Here’s a pic of the 5 brothers: 
Gabriel (black zip-up hoody), Jared (wearing a tie and my drummer), Shazam aka Levi (seated in navy blue blazer), Sethro Billy Jenkins (in the hat), and Yours Truly
