Adam is the plaid wearing-dude on the left.

It hasn’t been too terribly long since Watershed finished another year of their Playlist series, one of the community’s more popular yearly series. Late in each summer, the Watershed band puts in some seriously long hours (the biggest of shout-outs to Matt Shaughnessy and Taryn Hofert for their even longer hours) to provide several weeks of music-heavy Sunday mornings. I think I speak for most of us when I say that it’s the greatest time of the year to be a member of the Watershed band. And thanks to the community’s love of Playlist, many of us are given an opportunity to give a glimpse into what makes us tick by sharing songs that are so important to us.

 Personally, I can’t look back to times in my life that haven’t been steeped in music. If you were to ask my parents, you’d hear stories that always end, “And that’s when we knew he’d be a drummer.” Sure enough, and maybe sometimes to their dismay, I did just that as soon as I was old enough**. Somewhere along the way, I just became obsessed with music and all it had to offer. Music has given me some of my most treasured memories, and a few of my best friends. Music has made me weep, but has also made me feel more confident and brave than I ever could be without it. It’s oftentimes unreal how many memories in my head have as distinct a soundtrack as a time or place.

 And it was initially music that brought me to Watershed. I met Matt Shaughnessy through a coworker who just so happened to be Matt’s wife (also, the biggest of congratulations to Matt and Rachael on the birth of their little guy, Owen!). Once Matt found out I was a drummer, he insisted I come play at Watershed, which was just about a year old at that point. Albeit hesitantly, I accepted, and the rest (as they say) is history.

 I often wonder if my love (and expression thereof) of music is ever tiresome for my friends and peers. I’ll never say that I’m sorry for that, though. It’s a daily influence on my life; it’s a rare occasion that I’ll go longer than a few minutes without music somewhere. It gives me peace, and I hope I can reflect that peace on those around me. It helps me stay grounded and realize the beautiful stuff about life and the world. I hope that we, as the Watershed band, have reflected some of that passion; it would be all for naught if we didn’t have a community to sing with us. Don’t ever stop singing, and as always, thanks for listening.

Written by Adam Phillips

 **If they’re reading this, I have to give a very special thanks to my parents for their unwavering support. Whether it was my first drumset, a ride to my first lesson, or putting up with the noise of countless band practices (and my first band was pretty awful), I’m forever indebted to your love and your support. I’d be nowhere without it. Much love.