Goal

I am going to record a full length cd of original music [and a couple covers!] and try to support ATC with it's amazing mission. [Donations of $25 or more will get a copy of my cd!] I am planning on posting updates on my progress, and maybe a link to a song or two once they're recorded! Wish me luck and show me and ATC your support!

I chose this goal because

Music has been my passion since I was a kid. My parents are both musicians, and I was raised in a house full of music and instruments. My real passion has been, from the beginning, guitar. My father was the bassist in a local band and I dreamed of the same for myself. My parents started me on the piano at 6, promising to move me to the guitar when I got to a certain level of skill on the piano. I was not happy. By 12, I had enough and taught myself to play guitar. I've been playing and writing every since. Music is such an important part of my life. I struggle with communication and making sense of social interactions, but where my words fail -- my music speaks. I think this is the most valuable thing about song writing for me. It allows people a clearer picture of who I am.

I've known for my whole life that I was a boy, and spent most of my childhood trying to figure out I was sitting in a church wearing a dress. I've been Nic for so many years, I can't remember where it began. After much debate and delay, I started my medical transition in December of last year. I had decided against hormones for the sake of my voice, but knew that I, ultimately, had to be true to who I am. So, I embarked on an amazing journey. As a result of this my voice has changed [significantly] -- and this cd will document my struggles and successes in learning myself in a new context, unlearning and relearning how to use my own throat, and being the man I've always been. Recording a full length album for this campaign will help ATC do what it does best, and it will hold me accountable to my dreams.

I'm helping because

ATC is an amazing organization. They really care about the kids at the bottom and those who don't have access to any other resources. They support them and want them to succeed on their own path, not the path that most service providers require their clients to follow. They really develop relationships with the kids and there's a trust that builds as a result. Some of these young people don't have anyone in the world that they trust -- having someone in their corner is one of the most valuable things that ATC provides. Beyond that, having clean socks, food, new shoes, toothbrushes, condoms -- that's the kind of stuff that most of us take for granted. ATC provides all those and more to young people on a daily basis. Being able to raise money for this organization to hook these young folks up with what they need is more than enough reason to help out.