Since I was little, my dad showed me the best music around. Of course I grew up on The smashing pumpkins. As I got older I was really interested in Billy as a person, and it made me happy to see a down to earth artist. I appreciated him showing that even if you are different, you’re probably cooler than the people who make you feel like you’re not. My father passed on February 27th, and the last phone call I had with him was on that Monday. I made a music collage of what I grew up on which included the smashing pumpkins, inxs, and talking heads. I went to his funeral five days later wearing my SP shirt and gave a speech on our connection with music. I’ve never met someone with so many CD’s and I was like damn we could have went to the shows for the 30th anniversary in Chicago. He grew up in Chicago, and I will forever think of him when I hear any SP song. I got the opportunity to make the playlist for my dad and honestly it made everything better for that moment. I am only 21, and music is one of the only ways I can carry my dad with me. I appreciate all of you. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and as my father was heavily Irish, maybe that’s where some of his love for SP came from. I wish luck to you all, and I hope to attend a show soon.