If there is one thing you can learn about me from my articles, it’s that I am a BIG fan of chasing your dreams. I love the pursuit, I love the hunt and I love it even more when it all works out.  In my beautiful tenure with PensEyeView.com, I’ve had the incredibly fortunate opportunity to come across some rare artists with amazing stories. And just when I think I’ve heard the greatest story behind how someone “became” a musician, another one extraordinary story pops up.  I’m not complaining – this fact makes my life as a writer that much more fun and enjoyable. However, with Bob Pressner, I’m so overwhelmed with his stories, that I don’t know where to start. So, when in doubt, just jump right in head first.

Let’s start back to when Pressner was just beginning his career and the first time Pressner realized he was onto something. It wasn’t congrats from his family or encouragement from a record label – all of which happened –but rather as Pressner told me, “I guess hanging out with the beat poets, when Allen Ginsberg told me I would be the next Dylan.” Wowzah! To be honest with you, I’d take that compliment over any top executive telling me, “Kid, you’re going to be a star.” But that was only the beginning.

Even though Pressner found success in the music industry playing regularly and sharing stages with top acts, he still juggled real life responsibilities with the love for the road. Then, back in 1993, while working as a commodities trader, Pressner’s life was shaken by the (first) bombing of the World Trade Center. Pressner says that after that moment he couldn’t go back to sleep; it forever changed his life.

It was that moment that made Pressner realize the dream of living his life as a musician was something he could no longer give secondhand time to anymore. He ditched the cushy confines of Wall Street and picked up his guitar, never looking back. One of the results of this decision is his latest work, “Honor Among Thieves”.  The inspiration for “Honor Among Thieves”? Pressner says, “Living an inspired and interesting life gives me the best ideas.”

In Pressner’s own words, he describes his sound as, “A combination of driving rock and beautiful ballads, diversity, complexity, beauty, spirituality, raw emotion. That is what I strive to convey in my sound and in my songs – to be real yet to make people wonder.” And I for one am wondering – and anticipating – what he will think of next.

For more information on Bob Pressner, check out my article with him on www.PensEyeView.com.