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I Have A Dream...

Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

January 17, 2011 08:52 AM

Many of you might recall our very first ActiveRain RainCamp in San Francisco, CA. where the Andersohn's were asked to debut the "Armored Flight" family band. This was our first public appearance ever. We chose to open with a song specifically for Bob Stewart (one of his favorites) called Eye Of The Tiger. Well a seed was planted in the "rain" that day which "camped" in the spirit of our youngest son Brandon, and ended up blossoming into an audition that almost landed him on America's Got Talent.

Little did we know, our youngest son Brandon had a dream...

We passed all but the fourth and final round of auditions to make it on the show, but the experience and excitement of it all will live on forever in the Andersohn home. Fast forwarding to December of 2010, Brandon has since had his eyes and heart set on saving up his money and one day buying a Joe Satriani signature series JS1200 Ibanez guitar believing that it would produce magic, and combined with his own gifts and talents, would help him to one day achieve his dream...

My wife and I discussed this at length as this is no regular or cheap guitar. It's a Candy Apple Red absolutely gorgeous piece of wood that has been designed and customized as a signature series instrument by one of Brandon's favorite guitar players in the world. That's right, Joe Satriani.

It's ironic that it was also in San Francisco, CA at the Guitar Center, where Brandon actually got to meet his guitar hero in person and watch him perform live. (Here's a video memory of that night) Well my wife and I broke down and surprised Brandon this Christmas with a gift we hope continues to inspire and motivate him to keep chasing his dream...

Some have called it magical, others say he has special gifts. He's a child who has a dream. He practices more than his Dad Blogs which says a lot! lol~ His passion and goal in life are clearly displayed on the "about" section of his newly added Facebook profile. We are sooo proud of him! Now this may or may not be your type of music, but if you watched it from an artists' perspective, we think you'll enjoy the gift that Brandon has given back to us in return.

This is his dream....yes, I Have a Dream...

We encourage him and all kids (and adults) to follow your hearts, believe in yourself, and Dare to dream...

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Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner

Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA

Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

That is one cool guitar Brad.

Good job raising your son. He clearly has talent, hope the video goes viral!

Jan 17, 2011 12:57 PM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Brad...One of the best things we can do for our children is to foster their dreams. There are so many things we can and should do for them and this is one of the very important ones.

Brandon is living his dream. For him to believe in himself is wonderful. Having his parents believe in him also is equally wonderful.

I have a young nephew attending Berklee College of Music in Boston and we are so delighted for him that he is able to pursue his dream also.

The wonderful thing about music is that the gift is so inspiring to others as well. Brandon's gift is his and your gift is Brandon.

Kate

Jan 17, 2011 01:21 PM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Thanks everyone for your comments and words of encouragement.

Brandon just sat with me here and read them all. It brought tears to his eyes and to his Dad's as well. Today just seemed the perfect day for a post like this. In honor of a man who coined the phrase "I have a dream" we hope one day that Brandon can have just a fraction of the impact on the world that Martin Luther King Jr. did.

Brandon wanted me to personally thank each of you for all your love and support, he's a really great kid. :-)

BTW - The video has only been on Youtube for 1 day and already has quite a few shares on Facebook.

Jan 17, 2011 02:06 PM

Debra Davis

Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Snellville, GA

Realtor - Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville, Loganville

Brad you have a lot to be proud of. Your son is very talented and I know he will do well. He should just follow his dream.

Jan 17, 2011 03:12 PM

Kristal Kraft

Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO

Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Wow Brad! That's terrific! I can see why you are so proud of him! He's a very focused hard worker, just like his old man! :)

P.S. and that is a good thing!

Jan 17, 2011 03:44 PM

San Antonio Texas New Homes for Sale

www.sanantoniotexasnewhomesforsale.com - San Antonio, TX

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hill Country

Brad ...I know when Brandon gets older and looks back he will REALLY know he has the best Mom and Dad in the world !!!!

Jan 18, 2011 12:09 AM

Laura Reilly

Real Living Real Estate Professionals - Redding, CA

Home Sales Realtor - Short Sale Team Member - Redd

WOW! Know that's what I'm talking about! Up beat posts, my favorite. Thanks

Jan 18, 2011 02:57 AM

Kerrie La Guardia

ActiveRain, Community Manager - Kirkland, WA

Let it Rain!

I remember you wore that America's Got Talent audition bracelet for months and months....you are a wonderful example of a father and because of that Brandon knows he can have dreams and make them come true.

Jan 18, 2011 05:01 AM

Robert & Jani Bielenberg

Bielenberg & Associates - Denver, CO

Centennial, Colorado, CRS, GRI,e-PRO

Brad - that is so exciting! It brought tears to my eyes. I wish that I had been so foused as to have had a dream like that when I was 14 years old. May he follow the path to his dream! You are rockstar parents! Every child should be so lucky!

Jan 18, 2011 06:18 AM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

WOW!!! There's an incredible amount of love and support here, thanks you guys for caring and sharing. :)

@Kerrie - I still have that wrist-band hanging on the wall in our living room, it's on the ukulele stand. lol~

This is really about Brandon and not his awesome parents, although we appreciate all your kind words more than you know, we really want Brandon and kids just like him to have dreams, to truly believe in themselves, and to follow and go where their hearts and spirits lead them. We can support them, we can even help provide them some directions, but only they can and will ultimately find their way.

Knowing this inspires and motivates us to do all we can as parents to guide and help them in any and every possible way.

Long live the children with dreams....

Jan 18, 2011 06:10 PM

Sandy Noll

(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA

RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties

Hey Brad you should be very proud. He's very talented and his passion for sticking with what he loves will take him all the way to realizing his dream!! Enjoy the ride!

Jan 18, 2011 07:18 PM

Petra Norris

Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL

Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Brad - Watch out Julliard, here comes Brandon a truly talented young man. I really enjoyed his guitar playing and his movements. I'm no musician by all means but I have been around my daughter's private viola lesson and being part of a great Performing Arts High School here.

From your dad playing the piano and you son playing the guitar - please tell your son to never give up when things are against him.

I would never stand in a way of a child's dream for sure and would stand 200% behind.

Wishing you and your family the best in 2011!

Jan 18, 2011 11:59 PM

Dan Quinn

The Eric Steart Group of Long & Foster Real Estate - Silver Spring, MD

Dan Quinn

Really enjoyed that Brad. Your son has talent no doubt.

I received my degree many years ago in jazz piano and I chased my dream. I gave up a scholarship to Georgetown University to study piano at a school that had a superb music program and have never looked back.

My father didn't understand me at the time and didn't support my decision. It was years before he would understand how important it was to me. Before my father died I had the wonderful occasion to give him a private concert on my Steinway grand in my living room. It brings tears to my eyes to think of the joy we shared that day as he sat, closed his eyes and was swept in the music.

Gotta go - I have to find a Kleenex...

Jan 19, 2011 03:47 AM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Dan - OMG!! That was a wonderful story and comment, I would hope you'd share that story with others! If you do or have, please make sure I get a link to it. Can you send us some of your music or a link to some videos or something? My wife and I love jazz, she's even putting together a "Torch" jazzy thing-a-ma-jigger.

I know there are many that have stories like our.s.. OK, so while we're sitting here sobbing together, I'll let you in on a personal story and secret. (well it ain't no more...) I always wanted to play music with my father, he's a pianist but he kept his music personal and private from me, we never played together once. I did capture this video of him playing at his 85th Birthday, but that's the closest I ever got. I even created a webmorial. It's sad, but it's life and I love him the same. I do and will always play music with my kids, maybe just for that childhood reason but also because I really enjoy it. I think my father missed out on something really special.

Thanks for sharing my friend, I feel a bit closer to you.... now toss my that tissue.... :) cactus

Jan 19, 2011 08:42 AM

Melanie Ross

Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA

Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

Brad, how beautiful he makes the guitar sing with emotion.

Jan 19, 2011 01:56 PM

Dan Quinn

The Eric Steart Group of Long & Foster Real Estate - Silver Spring, MD

Dan Quinn

Brad, I watched that video of your father when you posted it a while back and was very moved by it. It is clear your father loved his music and that video is a priceless memory you can cherish. For me, the memory of my father is burned in my mind and I will always have it with me.

I enjoyed listening to the tracks on your webmorial, thanks for sharing. I had no idea of the breadth of musical talent in your family. WOW! Enjoyed listening and reminiscing of the days when I used to do studio work and perform. We have a lot in common Brad.

My wife and I both studied piano at the University of MD, where we met and married as soon as we graduated - 30 years ago. She and I entertained the DC crowd at private functions for many years. We had the occasion to share the stage together only once in our career. That was a night I will never forget. We have shared many years cajoling each other about who is the better singer or player. I think she is; she thinks I am. Boy do I have her fooled!

In case you didn't make the connection, when you were in DC for Raincamp you sat next to me at lunch and shared lunch at our table. It was nice to get to know you that day. I enjoyed Raincamp very much and met many new friends that day. What a good group of people.

Thank you for keeping the dream alive for so many of us here at Activerain. Good luck to you in your new endeavor at Zillow.

Dan Quinn

Jan 19, 2011 10:49 PM

Lane Bailey

Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA

Realtor & Car Guy

A kid has to have a dream... And as parents, we may be lucky enough to try to cultivate it and help it grow. That would be why there are about 7 pairs of hockey skates in this house and only one fits me...

Jan 20, 2011 03:20 PM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Thanks Melanie, he really does. :-)

Dan - awesome!! I do remember you from DC RainCamp, hopefully we'll meet up again soon one day. Great photo too!!

Lane - as long as you don't mind us being sharks fans, we can remain friends. lol~ You're a great dad!!

Jan 23, 2011 03:54 AM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Brad, I have always admired your parenting when you talk about your kids - and you and your wife have given Brandon a gift that will nurture him for years go come and help him stay busy during his teen years.

Jan 30, 2011 02:27 PM

Brad Andersohn

Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA

ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Frank and Sharon, Thanks!! "My kids and wife, they are my life!!" :-)

Jan 31, 2011 06:57 AM

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