I grew up in the New York City suburbs and when college came around, I decided to head South for a change of pace and a new atmosphere. I moved to Wilmington, NC, a beach town on the southeastern coastline, and it was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've made and has had a huge impact on my life, both musically and otherwise.

The town is very music-centric with local musicians playing in bars any given night, larger music events throughout the year at Azalea Festival or Green Lake Amphitheater, and The Penguin -- the best radio station (as confirmed by all Wilmingtonians) -- playing in cars and stores all around town.

With the summer sun on your face, the beach at your feet, and your friends all around, it's one of those towns that wraps you up so quickly and silently that you don't even realize it until you're at a crossroads of opportunity standing outside the Cape Fear city limits and there's a pit of conflict in your stomach. This is where I found myself a few years ago.

I didn't want to leave. I wasn't going to leave. 

Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go
Never let me go

I went out to the beach bars and then, when they closed, found myself sitting on the sand staring out at the moonlight glistening off the waves as they rolled in (see picture above). "Never Let Me Go" came on over my phone speakers. My heart wrenched; it had built a home here and my head had found a place to rest. 

But I also knew that there were more places in this world that I wanted to explore and goals that I wanted to accomplish which would require me to say adieu to the beach, and that every day I stayed here was one more day that made it harder to part.

I packed my things, went to one last show at The Whiskey and headed North on I-40.

After leaving the state, I moved back to New York, and I've got to say that I've been reacquainted with quite a few friends from Wilmington here in the city. I've also met some new friends that used to live in Wilmington. It's funny how we gravitate toward each other. 

And, so, this is my love song to Wilmington. You'll always have a piece of my soul, and all you wild & fine folks I met there, you're forever friends of mine. Keep kickin' ass and getting tan, ya hear?

Oh, and grab a Port City Java iced Irish Cream coffee for me, would ya? 

xxChris