I was talking to a dear friend today named Ken Rockwood about music, record labels, and moms when this story came up.

I’ve been playing in the beautiful NYC music venues for almost 3 years now. The first real show I had was at 2:00am on a Monday night at a fantastic spot called “Rockwood Music Hall” (Ken Rockwood owns this little spot). I would play my tunes to 10, sometimes even 11 people if my love showed up. All the while Ken would tell me “don’t stop making this music”.

Last year Ken started talking to a few of his buddies at a major record label about how I could do them some good. Unfortunately, I did not fit in the game plan for the label. Ken’s mother did not take this news too well.

One day Ken and his mother took a trip up to this record label to meet the head hancho, the cheese, the bossman of the entire label. Now Miss Rockwood is no ordinary woman. I’ve heard that she is the epitome of class and a Lower East Side Bombshell living a life of adventure. Mama Rockwood walks right up to this man, looks him dead in the eye and says “you know you really dropped the ball with This Zach Williams guy!” To which he politely replied “Oh yeah?”

When Ken told me this, I smiled to myself and thought- I don’t need no record deal! I don’t need financial security. I don’t need to live in an apartment bigger than the 550 square feet I live in now. All I need is valuable moments, meaningful stories, fearless friends, and a song. Hearing this story about this sweet woman who enjoys my tunes was a good reminder to keep the main thing the main thing. Make music, moments, and friends.

I hope to meet Miss Rockwood someday.