Can you take us back to the beginning? What are your earliest memories, and how do you think they’ve shaped who you are today?
I remember my dad heading off to the fire station really early in the morning. I remember the smell of coffee in our tiny little starter home. I remember being able to look out the screen door into my backyard. At this point, I was the only Ingram son but the second was on the way. I remember always hearing music. Whether the radio was on or one of my parents was singing, I was surrounded by it. There was a simple happiness early in my life. Overtime, life got more complicated, but I often think back to the simple times and realize music was there, too.
When I create, I try to take care of the product and make something important, but always try to watch out to keep it from being too complicated. Sometimes the best thing about a song is its simplicity. I have to be careful not to overwrite or over play because some songs need to be a simple as the memory of the smell of coffee or a screen door.
As you reflect on your life, are there any key moments or turning points that stand out to you? What made them significant?
When my parents split up I was 16. I was crushed but had to try to hold it together for my mom and brothers. I couldn’t understand why two people I loved so much couldn’t figure out how to love each other. Some of my independent spirit was born in this time. At 16, I was already testing the limits of the rules I had grown up with. This gave me some freedom, a little fire, and just enough anger to be willing to push limits. While this time was formative, my parents’ divorce was nowhere near the most significant event in my life.
At 19, while going 70 mph, I collided with another car going 90 mph and being driven by a drunk. My injuries were so extensive I had to spend 10 days in the hospital, go through a year of reconstructive procedures, and learn to regain use of my arms and legs. This caused me to have to suspend music for a time and focus on healing. This is the period in my life where I experienced the lowest and darkest emotions. I wanted to know why something like this could happen to me. I was angry about the way I felt, the way I looked, and my new limitations that I didn’t cause. I felt like a freak who didn’t belong anywhere.
With a great deal of support from friends and family, I emerged from this dark place like a new person. I was not as interested in teaching music anymore but driven to create music that would help people find hope, feel love, and experience peace. Every day is still a battle, but it’s a battle between me and the challenges of the music industry. After what I’ve fought through, this one is a welcome fight.
Who were the most influential people in your life, and how have they impacted your journey and development?
My wife is my rock. She hears everything, helps me regain focus, and helps me relax when I can. When I get wound up about something, she knows when to let me spin and when and how to calm me down. I could not do this without her.
Before her, my friends were my biggest influence. There were bandmates, classmates, co-workers, and many relationships that all had a small part in shaping me.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
As I mentioned above, recovering from that accident was huge. There were times I thought I wouldn’t make it back. There were times when I thought the anger or the sadness would do me in. I fought for clarity and when I couldn’t find it, I leaned on trusted people. When I couldn’t see a week ahead, I just focused on the next day. There were some really scary times but having the internal will to survive was crucial in my ability to do so.
If you were to pick a theme or a lesson that runs through your life story, what would it be?
The theme that runs through my life story is perseverance and tenacity. Some people might call this being hard to kill. Most of my endeavors have been passion projects without a clear security or guarantee. I’ve had to believe in my own ability to make something work even at times when trusted advisors were not on board. If I quit doing something, it must be on my terms. Things like difficulty, risk, or history aren’t enough to dissuade me from trying something I believe in. Don’t tell me what I can’t do.
Are there specific accomplishments or milestones that you’re particularly proud of, and why do they hold such significance for you?
There’s not really anything I’m overly proud of. I try to avoid pride because I think that can lead to complacency. I am proud that I have my daughters, but that’s not something I worked really hard to accomplish, it’s just something that gives me great joy to think about. I try to set goals, achieve those goals, and then set new ones. I’m pleased when someone tells me one of my songs helped them through a tough time, but that’s not pride as much as it is being pleased by knowing I did something that mattered.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for the next chapter of your life story? What legacy do you want to leave behind?
I have hopes of one day helping a group of younger musicians reach their goals and make music that helps people. I would like to leave a legacy of people who believe that music is a gift that is meant to be shared for the benefit of mankind, not just the benefit of the artist. Every day brings a new opportunity to experience the world and enhance the lives of others. I hope to find more opportunities as a I grow and pass that concept on to others.
Thanks to Your Story for giving me the opportunity to tell mine. If you’re reading this and would like to know more about me, click www.joshuaingram.com/links If you’re having a tough time and would like to talk to someone who cares, send me an email at [email protected]
Thank you so much!