We recently had the chance to connect with Bret Crow and have shared our conversation below.
Bret, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Everyday I’ll usually get my day started with a cup of coffee and spending some time with my fiancé, then I get to work on new videos, new original music that I am currently writing and recording, writing a recording new scripts and sketches, and taking care of my garden in the backyard. Inbetween usual evening gigs, I stay pretty busy with music!!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“Bret Crow, a multifaceted composer and bassist, is the creative force behind The Bret Crow Show, his solo venture wherein he composes and improvises live song creation utilizing a looper and various effects, creating content across much of social media, and the backbone of Time Knife, his primary band. Bret’s talents also shine in Primish, his Primus tribute band. Merging music with comedy, he crafts unique performances, captivating audiences with his versatility and originality. While calling Denton his home base, Bret has been performing in and around the DFW area since 2007.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
In my sophomore year, I had been asked along with my drummer friend to play with my other buddy who had gotten into my high school’s Battle Of the Bands. We had only rehearsed together a couple of times a few days before the event, and we had written two originals and worked up 3 covers: loco by coal chamber, replica by fear factory, Cars (fear factory version). We had gone on at the sweet spot in a lineup, about 8pm, and had the whole room cheering loudest for us and dancing in the pit. It was then that I learned the power of music and being in a band.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The indomitable spirit must overcome. True success comes to those that are consistent, present, and always listening. There are those that may give up in the face of adversity, and to them I say, do not miss the forest for the trees. True learning is in the fundamentals, the mastering of simplicity into the complex. Bringing forth the creative ideas straight from the ether into your reality.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I try and practice real authenticity in every interaction, whether that be through being me in a video, to meeting someone on the street or at the grocery store. I try to give a smile when I can, and to bring joy to all those that interact with me. The only way to be is real and authentic, and to be a bright shining light in a world full of darkness.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Ever since I was 10 years old, I knew I wanted to do comedy, to make people laugh. Then my mom gave me Weird Al’s Greatest Hits 2 Cassette Tape, and I had become hooked on music. I was already there, listening to everything that I could find, lots of droop and 50’s music, classic rock, into death metal and more interesting stuff in High School. Then, once I started playing bass, I was hooked. I knew this was for me, there was no turning back. It is and will always be my true calling, to be a composer. And I’ve been doing it everyday ever since.
Image Credits
Photos By Bob Ralph
