I met him in 2002 while living in Nashville. We were at a party at my friends Nate, Steven and Tony's house in Sylvan Park. He was introduced by another friend, Brian. I remember Brian said that Aaron was new to Nashville and he was a great bass player. Aaron's wife, Caroline, was there too; a bubbly girl who was a nurse at Vanderbilt, I think.

Aaron could've been a cousin of mine from Oklahoma with his Golly-Shucks charm and his sweeter than southern iced tea personality. The kind of guy who would change a flat for you in 90 degree weather. I wanted to tell him all the bad things I knew about the Nashville music business and buy he and Caroline one way tickets back to wherever they came from.

Not long after we met Aaron bought a motorcycle, much to Caroline's dismay, and the four of us went for long rides through Franklin, TN. We stopped at mom an pop stores along the way and pretended we didn't have to pay rent or show up to work on time the following Monday.

Months before I left Nashville for good, Aaron got a long term gig playing with an unsigned band called Luna Halo. I remember the first time I saw him on stage with the band. He transformed from Golly Shucks into a mysteriously serious musician who made girls swoon and perspire with hope. It was shocking.

Luna Halo began touring the UK heavily. I went to a few shows and beamed with pride, watching him onstage. I couldn't have been more happy for him if he were my honest-to-god blood relative.

When I moved away, Aaron and his wife were two people I regretted not keeping in touch with. I think about them from time to time and hope that they found better reasons to stay in the music business than I did. I also pray that Aaron still gets tipsy after only a few beers and rambles on about how much he loves Caroline.

Luna Halo, with my dear Aaron, went on to sign with American Recordings/Columbia Records. They're worth a look and a listen if you have the time.