#thegreatokra

[ticdawest]

I had a lil photo shoot feeling myself #TicDaWest #TheGreatOkra

[thegreatokra]

How do you even begin to say goodbye? When you practice with someone for several years, you form a bond that is indescribable. You just let the music play and react. 

When I got the call on October 11th from Ricardo, I still couldn’t believe it. Just like that, someone important and dear to you just gone. It’s unfair, it’s not something that is easy to understand. How does one come to terms with it? I just sat there and thought, “man, what the hell”. 

Aaron was an awesome person. From the times I spent with him on and off stage, to all the practices, I absolutely enjoyed watching him grow both as a musician and a person. There were practices where he would absolutely shred on his solo, and others where he would throw you so much controlled chaos that you’re absolutely stunned. The best thing about practice was the solos were never the same. There were unique almost every time just like Aaron was.

It was great getting to hear him try something new. Each time he played a solo it got way better than the first. It was indicative of his character. He would put all of himself into a task and the outcome was wonderful. It was inspiring to the point that I wanted to get better as a musician as well. I would ask him questions all the time about his progress with school and enjoyed hearing that he was doing so well. Especially when he said he made it into school at El paso. 

For someone with so much talent, it would’ve been wrong for him to not to continue and grow even if it was somewhere else. 

So what can I do to honor your passing my good friend Aaron? I wish I could ask you, but know there will be another time for that. For now, I just want you to know that you will always be missed. That we always wondered what you were up to. We always were proud of everything you accomplished and the great life you led. 

[thegreatokra]

Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday to enjoy the show and to celebrate Tim's birthday. Here's a recording of the show if you missed it. #music #localmusic #sandiegolocalmusic

[ticdawest]

My Name is My Name . .

Lately I've been contemplating changing my name officially to Tic West, but something makes me want to keep my birth name. Maybe i admire my father so much that i feel obligated and honored to carry his name. Another loss is the initials i share with a popular clothing brand but that meaning is material. At first thought people think its a dumb gimmick to be a rapper but if you grew with me you then you know how hard i work to build the presence around my name to be called anything but a rapper. I am a musician first. I personally believe that my birth name is a title for my beginning and my next name will be the title of a new chapter. .

[ticdawest]

One handed #drumming while on instagram #TheGreatOKRA #band #practice #horrible

[thegreatokra]

Start of #bandpractice #thegreatokra

[ticdawest]

What @thegreatokra practices look like . . #bandPRACTICE #TheGreatOKRA #TicDaWest

[ticdawest]

Happy birthday pelican. . #TheGreatOkra