In this episode we welcome Guller, a Millennial/Zillennial. Guller shares with us his father’s move from Turkey to America, and his parents eventual meeting on a blind date at Chapel Hill. He shares the origin of his name, which is a combination of his Turkish and rural North Carolina roots. We learn how Guitar Hero literally struck a chord in him when he was in elementary school, which sparked a desire to learn how to play music with a focus on guitar. Guller shares how a random moment of dabbling on his Turkish grandmother’s old piano led to the discovery of a natural talent on the keys that his parents fostered with piano lessons. He touches on how lack of preparation for a piano recital when he was in middle school taught him a lifelong lesson that he still uses to this day. We learn of Guller’s musical inspirations which include The Grateful Dead, Billy Joel, The Allman Brothers, Elton John and The Beatles, just to name a few, and how his parents constant support of his love for music facilitated growth and personal success for him. Guller reflects on his years attending Florida State University and how he almost didn’t graduate if it weren’t for the discovery of a woman named Jill who tirelessly aided people by helping them find a strategy to finish their education. We also learn how his strong support system of friends and family helped him embark on a successful wellness journey. After a modified “GAP Year” that was a few months of travel, Guller began his career in tech sales, all while balancing being a member of a few different bands. I think we counted about 10 bands Guller has been a member of from his middle school days to today, and we’re sure that number will continue to climb throughout his life. We especially enjoyed discussing The Grateful Dead’s music and culture, and hearing his perspective while also sharing our own. Guller is currently playing shows with his band 59 Shop while enjoying continued success in tech sales working for Finally, a company that offers a full accounting and finance suite to its customers. We thoroughly enjoyed Guller’s story, and were especially impressed with his passion and drive in balancing his music and business career in addition to continually growing in his personal life. We definitely plan on seeing Guller perform live in the near future, and look forward to hosting him again in the studio!
-59 Shop
https://www.instagram.com/59shopband/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7uwzPFpOuIV0vymZvjSTnT
-Wrasse
https://www.instagram.com/wrassetheband/
https://open.spotify.com/track/3qNt03V9hOBemv3jHUIin5?si=ccc81e00b6c342fe
-The Pleasures
https://www.instagram.com/thepleasuresss/
-Finally
Chapters:
00:00:15 Welcome & Introduction
00:00:50 What Are Zillennials?
00:02:46 Younger Generations Using Instagram
00:04:26 Moving From Turkey to America
00:10:04 Playing Football Growing Up
00:10:25 Music Class & The Recorder
00:11:15 Guitar Hero & Music Lessons
00:12:52 Piano Lessons & School Band
00:19:40 Having To Learn Music Chords
00:25:37 American Idol
00:27:25 First Band
00:28:44 North Carolina Bluegrass Music
00:30:31 Billy Strings
00:31:00 St. Augustine Amphitheater
00:32:01 Dad Is Entrepreneur In Cruise Line Hall Of Fame
00:33:21 President of DECA
00:33:53 Transition From Private to Public School
00:36:28 Jameis Winston Scorched University Of Florida
00:36:55 Florida State University - FSU
00:38:02 Going To College
00:39:39 Getting Academically Dismissed From College
00:45:34 Wellness Journey
00:50:00 Pulling Through With A Support System
00:52:57 Gap Year
00:55:58 Bandmix.com
00:57:02 Being In A Band While In College
00:59:39 Piano Recital
01:02:48 First Jam Band Concert - Umphrey's McGee at Fillmore In Miami
01:06:22 You Can't Have A Grateful Dead Band Without a Keyboardist
01:09:44 How I Got Introduced To Goose
01:09:56 Dead and Company - Wrigley Field, The Sphere
01:11:52 Old Deadheads
01:13:44 Jeff Chimenti
01:15:13 Joe Russo's Almost Dead
01:17:28 Grateful Dead Culture Going Strong
01:19:42 Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers & Billy Strings
01:21:53 Bob Weir & Revisiting The Music
01:23:28 Meeting Billy Strings
01:24:41 nugs.net
01:24:59 South Florida Jam Bands
01:26:06 Keyboardists of The Grateful Dead
01:32:04 Little Feat
01:40:07 Tech Sales Job at Citrix
01:42:06 School Of Rock
01:43:23 59 Shop
01:45:21 Songwriting Process
01:48:15 59 Shop - The Shop
01:50:42 Balancing Musician In A Band & Work Life
01:56:06 Mentor, Barbecue & Sales Process
02:02:33 Kevin Dorsey - KD
02:07:49 Dating As A Millennial
02:10:44 Advice For Younger People Just Getting Out of College
02:24:24 Beers & Birdies Golf Annual Golf Event
02:30:41 How Has The Podcast Changed Our Perspectives
02:36:38 GenX Is Redefining Aging
02:39:43 Everyone Has A Story
02:41:35 Be A Leader
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