03-13-72

On this date, 37 years ago, one the greatest human beings to ever live was born in Oklahoma City. He was born to Howard and Linda Collins. His name was Brandon Lee Collins. By the time I was old enough to understand the world around me through my own eyes, my dad had adapted him and he officially became Brandon Lee Hendricks, though I had known him as that already, it just became official in the eyes of the law.

Brandon, was simply an amazing person, and anyone who actually got the opportunity to even just meet him instantly became amazed at the auro that seemed to surround him and permeate from him. He was a master guitarist,one of the best I have ever heard, and yes I am comparing him to the best we have or had.

He fell in love with the guitar the first time he heard Ace Frehley of KISS rip out a chord, the same as many of our guitarists today did. His role models were the aforementioned Frehley, Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jimi Hendrix, and the list goes on and on and on. There wasn't a riff he couldn't play and his music was just beyond amazing. To this day I still listen to his guitar playing anytime I need to have a dose of him.

Unfortunately we lost him in 2001 and there isn't a day go by I don't think of him. When he died he was in, what was believed, to be his last few months in the Navy, he was preparing to audition for Limp Bizkit. I have no doubts that had he lived he would have been the new guitarist for the band.

I haven't let go of him yet and I hope I never will. I often think of him being in the Navy Seals and he is on some covert mission where to the rest of the world he has to be dead. I know that's not true, but on some nights, deep into the night, that's the only comforting thought that will put me to sleep.

I love you bubba. Happy Birthday.