The Endless Journey

It’s May 21, 1999.  Senior Skip Day.  There’s a group of five of us packed into a small car on a trip to Cedar Pointe.  I hate Cedar Pointe.  I know that’s an unpopular statement, but it’s true.  On this particular day, besides the Dramamine-induced-semi-coma that torments me all day, something amazing happens.  Collision Six is born.  It doesn’t happen in the usual manner either.  Nobody knows how to play an instrument, but the seed is planted.  One day, Daniel Baker and I are going to start a band.  It’s a step forward in an unexpected journey.

It’s August 2002.  I’m shaking.   Is it fear? - adrenaline?  - excitement?  It’s probably all three and many more emotions.  I’m at the Grand Café in downtown Farmington.  I’m surrounded by friends and family – too many to count, and I’m standing next to Daniel.  It’s our first show, and why not go big?  We’re playing 11 songs, ten of which are original songs we’ve written.  We’ve got one acoustic guitar, one electric guitar, a horrible “sound system” and the best of intentions.  The show is a big success. 

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Over the next handful of years, we add long-time friend Roderic Dolega on bass guitar and my brother Louis Rappaport on drums.  The first 10 songs Roderic learns are Collision Six originals.  Louis is 12 years old.  I know we couldn’t have been good, but our first show is received with outrageous applause.  The success of the show feeds our desire to keep playing our original music for anyone that will listen.  We’re small-time, but in our heads, we’re always one show away from our big break.  Then in June 2006, things come to a screeching halt when 3 of the 5 members of the band split to focus on other projects.  It’s time to take Collision Six in a different direction; the original music days are over.  Collision Six is going to be a party band.  Time to break out our dancing shoes.

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In total, 19 different people have called themselves members of Collision Six, and I’m the last man standing.  In the past 11 years, we’ve graduated from the bars that help bands get started to some of the best restaurants and clubs in town.  We get to rock the stage at Motor City Casino and party at Horn’s on Mackinac Island.  We play at birthday parties, backyard gatherings, fundraisers, corporate events, and a lot of weddings.  There’s something inherently gratifying about sharing in the celebration of newlyweds.  Simply put, I love playing weddings.  If you ask me, our line-up is the strongest it’s ever been.  Collision Six, as we stand today, doles out the best performances the world has seen from us.  There’s no doubt of that

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So today, I find myself taking another step in this unexpected journey.  This new website feels to me like so much more than a website.  Over the past few years, we’ve been guided along our path by some experts in the business.  In April, we decided to spread our wings and fly free, and the past three months have proven it was the best decision we’ve ever made.  I’m trying not to be too sappy, but I can’t help but think that this website almost symbolizes our re-birth.  It’s yet another new beginning.  And the best part?  I get to share it with great guys – Kerry Srot, Stefan Schram, Evan Sherman, Jack Johnson and Jeff Supina.  Even better, I’m doing it all with my wife right by my side.  I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it:  As awesome as the six guys think we are, we’d be nothing without Sarah.  So, as I close our first blog post, I say thank you.  Thank you to Sarah.  Thank you to all 19 members who have joined me on this musical journey.  Thank you to the venues that have booked us.  Thank you to the agents that helped us move forward and to Derek for your mentoring.  Thank you to our past clients, and thank you to those who are excited about celebrating with us in the coming months and years.  Thank you to my friends and family for supporting this crazy endeavor.  And last, but certainly not least, thank YOU for supporting live music and partying with Collision Six.

Enjoy the new website.  And, we’ll see you around.

-Matt

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