FIRST THINGS FIRST - That’s how Paul Holmes sums up his musical journey. Putting his passion for music aside to raise his family was priority #1. When the four children began to leave the nest, his wife surprised him with a beautiful Taylor guitar and things began to change. “I could not put it down. I hadn’t played in years and the strange thing was I didn’t start playing this guitar the way I knew when I was younger. I grew up playing rock and jazz and now I began to pick with my fingers.” Playing fingerstyle he says was something that he knew nothing about but it just felt natural. One thing led to another and within a short time Paul was playing and writing and wanting to share his music with the world. ONE BIG PROBLEM - Paul was terrified to play in front of anyone. “I would only play in my room and when someone would ask me to play, I would say ‘Someday I will, but not now.’ It’s a crippling feeling. I know a lot of closet musicians that feel the same way.” Determined to concur his fear, he began to play at an Open Mic Night at an area coffee shop. “The first time I played I was so scared. After I was done playing I thought ‘I will never do that again’.” But he did. And he kept going week after week and gradually began to feel more comfortable. “Now I play for anyone who asks. I still get nervous and sometimes my leg will start to shake like Elvis when I sit on a stool but I have a sense of humor about it now.” NOW COMES HIS DEBUT ALBUM Put THE TOP DOWN - A bright mix of acoustic fingerstyle guitar. All of the songs on this instrumental album feature his solo guitar. There are a few songs with light instrumentation behind. When asked to describe his music Paul says “I hope it sounds like and makes people feel like they’re on vacation.” “I love going on vacation. In fact, many of the songs on this album were inspired and written while on vacation.” Being raised on the sunny shores of Daytona Beach, Florida, it’s no wonder Paul has a carefree “I’m-on-vacation” attitude about life. “If I can’t be on vacation I guess I just wrote music to make me feel like I was. Life is stressful enough these days, believe me, with four kids, life DOES come at you fast! The music takes you to a quieter, gentler place.” Paul has a wide range of musical influences including Claude Debussy, John Williams the film composer and his favorite band Yes. “I love Big music,” he says which is one reason Paul loves the idea of playing fingerstyle. “I want to play like an orchestra on the guitar, playing a few different parts at the same time. I don’t need a band because I’m playing the all the parts.” Still living in the Daytona Beach area Paul says his greatest musical accomplishments are still ahead of him. While on his musical journey, Paul hopes his music will remind everyone “From the heart,” to “Take it easy,” “Celebrate” everything and when ever possible - Put THE TOP DOWN.