Way back in the month of May Chris Brogan wrote a blog post that helps one come up with a quick “autobiography.” This meme has enabled a few people to get to know each other better, so I thought, “why not write one, as well?”

My post is not meant to be self-serving or pretentious at all. It is basically answering a call-to-action by Chris. It also helps me keep perspective on where I am at this point in my life. So, thank you Chris Brogan for your comments and your direction. Here’s my quick autobiography.

The thing most people know me for is…
Well, this one is a bit of a challenge. People know me for certain things depending on which circle of connection you may visit.

In my day-to-day employment I’m known as a safety educator, communicator, and media relations guy that serves as an oft-catch-all person for those things that they don’t know where else to send. I’m a audio-video guy that produces training and marketing videos, works on web-sites, writes media releases, creates puppet shows, sings songs for kids and spends a huge amount of time in the local school system.

In my new media role, people know me as an audio producer that often seeks out independent musicians for my podcast (on demand audio) show “Audio Gumshoe.” I’m often found networking with other music show producers, but have a huge interest in finding out more about social connectivity and tools to help me be more productive.

As a musician, I’m known to some as a writer/singer of children’s songs. To others I’m the guy known as Rich Desoto that performs regularly in Second Life — singing songs about avatars, relationships, and living. To still others, I’m the bass player or guitarist for a variety of local bands [The Fries, Knight Blaze], sometimes serving as a front man, but often filling the role of backup vocalist. Yet others remember as an avid lover of classical music, attempting to refine my skills as a ‘cellist and performing in as many orchestra settings as possible.

In the musician role I’m continuing to find ways to market my craft through social media circles, using the tools mentioned above.

And yet there’s more. I’m also a former broadcaster, with experience as on-air talent, copywriter, news writer and reporter and even sales/promotions. This former skill set has enabled me to continue to work as a voice-over talent and producer, specializing in internet radio imaging and podcasts. I am also a jingle writer — with both commercial and show theme credits under my belt.

The people I associate the most with are…
I associate with as many people as possible in as many circles of influence as possible. My family is most important, followed by great long-term friends. I often find that my associations are growing at a rapid rate through the digital age and online connectivity. So many social media tools exist. I attempt to find out what they are — and if they are worth spending time learning.

I want to maximize my reach with my music, so I will tend to migrate toward the tools and web sites that help me do this effectively, while maintaining social interactivity.

People who have influenced my life are…
My mother, my maternal grandfather, my former HS music director, my wife, my brother, other social media pundits, and a variety of co-workers, mentors and leaders. There are so many that I could not begin to list them.

One challenge I took on and overcame was…
See the next section…

My early years, before you probably got to know me were…

These years were spent learning more and more about music, technology, and society. I had some hurdles to overcome as an adolescent looking for opportunity. My parents were divorced when I was a young teen, so that lead to some rebellion, but nothing of catastrophic value, obviously. I yearned for education and more knowledge in music — so I pursued higher education. When I graduated high school I worked for a full-year in a paint distribution warehouse before raising enough funds to start college. Through my own efforts I was able to attend school, while continuing to work in various industries.

I was taught many values by my maternal grandfather. As a blacksmith and self-employed businessman he knew the value of “people”. He taught me how to show compassion, empathy, respect, and “how to do the right thing.” He was rarely paid [in cash] what his work was worth, but he showed how the connection with others ensured that needs were always met and abundance could be had.

You might not know this, but …
I have a very short temper. As passionate and warm as I am often known to be, I am also known to easily blow a fuse. This most often happens around the people to which I am most comfortable. So, they don’t reap the benefit of that relationship much, do they? This is a shortcoming that I always try to learn how to overcome.

Thankfully my family knows how much I love them — and I hope they understand my “red-headed temper.”

I’m passionate about…
I am most certainly passionate about my wife, my children, and values in life. I believe people should treat others with respect, regardless of the way they have been treated. I believe that people are ultimately capable of reaching high levels of success, but they can’t do it alone. Zig Ziglar said that you can get anything you want out of life if you help enough people get what they want. I agree and always strive to follow this philosophy.

In the next year or two, I hope to…
I truly hope to have the finances and resources needed to support my family while doing what I truly love doing. I would like to know that my music, my creativity, and my desire to produce content of all kinds can become a vehicle for personal success and self-reliance.

Tags: Chris Brogan, musician, safety, educator, voiceovers, jingles, Zig Ziglar, family, values, children’s songs