What is Play it Forward?

Play It Forward is a music-driven initiative built around the belief that in a world that’s growing more disconnected than ever, music still has the power to heal, connect and bring hope. Born from my own experience of finding refuge in playing music during some of life’s hardest seasons - including my mother’s own battle with cancer and later through my own journey of addiction and recovery - Play it Forward exists to help the next generation of musicians discover their gifts, develop them, and use them in service to others. Through songs, live performance, storytelling, and community, it turns music into a bridge: One that brings people together, supports those walking through difficult seasons, and reminds us that no one is meant to do life alone.

At its heart, Play It Forward uses music as the vehicle-through songs, live performance, and community-to turn creativity into encouragement, connection, and real support for people facing real-life challenges.

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Help the next generation of musicians discover their gifts and their unique voice.

“Colorado (Sara’s Song)” began as a deeply personal song rooted in redemption, reflection, and gratitude. It began as a story about my own personal redemption story about my battles with alcohol and the weekend a higher power helped me see my own gifts when I decided, at the friendly suggestion of my therapist, to quit drinking for a weekend. That experience turned into a two-month hiatus from drinking and the discovery of the gift of songwriting. Years later, when I wanted to bring the song to life, I happened to meet a girl named Sara at an open mic in a small town not far from me. We connected, played a song together, and I asked if she might be interested in singing harmony on my song. She said she would love to. Shortly after recording, when I shared the track with her, she informed me that she had a serious cancer diagnosis and couldn’t continue. Despite numerous attempts to see how she was doing, I never heard back and eventually lost contact with her. Because her voice is such a huge part of the song and her story became part of its heart, I chose to release it as “Colorado (Sara’s Song)”.

That experience became the spark behind Play It Forward, a music-driven initiative built around the belief that songs can do more than entertain—they can connect people, carry hope, and help support someone through a difficult season. For me, that mission is also personal: when I was a sophomore in high school, playing in a band and my mother was battling cancer, music became a refuge and a source of connection in one of the hardest seasons of my life. Today, Play It Forward is about helping to inspire the next generation of musicians to discover their gifts, develop them, and use them to bring hope, connection, and support to others.