Photo Courtesy of Eddie Morrison

Eddie Morrison’s guitar sits in his room. “[Playing guitar] gave me a sense of better rhythm …” Morrison said, “and I know the keys now.” He added that he loved playing and listening to music alone in his living room.

A young Eddie Morrison (10) sits in his room with his guitar in his hands, but it doesn’t quite feel like his. From a young age, Morrison had a guitar in his hands, but it wasn’t his choice. Morrison’s family has a tradition of teaching their kids to play the guitar, but at first for Morrison it was a chore.

“I kinda got guilted into it,” Morrison said.

At about 11 years old, Morrison first began playing and taking lessons after being pressured by his family. Following years of lessons, Morrison was faced with obstacles in his journey to learn.

“I broke my arm, just getting frustrated [about playing] about two years into it, but I think I overcame that,” Morrison said.

Throughout learning, Morrison had a slight disdain for playing, using when he broken arm as an excuse not to play when still could, but suddenly something changed.

“It was when my dad said that I could quit if I wanted to. I gave it a couple weeks and somehow something just clicked,” Morrison said, “and I wanted to play more and go to lessons.”

Suddenly, Morrison changed his weekly chore into something he was doing for fun and that he had a new passion for.

“I think I found my passion when I started listening to more bands … Just hearing cooler riffs and songs,” Morrison said.

For those looking to start their musical path, Morrison has some advice.

“Stay consistent,” Morrison said, “find music you like and just have fun.”