Brandan Bullard: Musician extraordinaire

[Parenting NH Administrator]

By Eric Rossman

 

Brandan, 25, has accomplished at his age what many people haven’t accomplished in a lifetime. This musician has taken his passion for music and made it a career. He tours the state, playing his guitar and entertaining audiences.

 

Brandan was inspired to play music at a young age. Watching his mother, Debby, and great uncle play the guitar made a big impression on him when he was a child. His mother said before Brandan could talk in complete sentences, he could sing complete songs.

 

During his youth Brandan learned how to the play the banjo, the harmonica and sang in the school chorus; by the age of 16 he started playing the guitar and never looked back. While attending high school he used his musical talents to make friends by joining rock and roll bands.

 

During the last year of high school, his family moved from Bedford to Londonderry. Because of this move, Brandan had to transfer from Merrimack High School to Londonderry High School for the last six months of his high school career. The Bullard family said he used his music to become part of the school and make friends.

 

One of the family stories of Brandan’s early performances was about his first guitar recital. During his performance of “Annie’s Song” by John Denver there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience because of the touching way Brandan played. His rendition was so heartfelt that Brandan’s Great Uncle, a big burly blue collar worker who almost never cried, was in tears. His mother recounted that during this performance Brandan dropped his guitar pick, which he uses to play his instrument, continued to sing while picking up the guitar pick and went on playing without skipping a beat.

 

His sister, Chelsea said before Brandan took formal lessons she watched in awe as her brother used his mother’s guitar to play, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. According to his sister, Brandan enjoys playing the guitar so much he would perform everyday even if it was only for his immediate family.

 

While attending high school Brandan explored careers just as many of his classmates did, but he kept coming back to performing music.

 

He has been inspired by musicians such as Elvis, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, James Taylor, The Everly Brothers, John Denver, Buddy Holly, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison and Chuck Berry. Chelsea’s nickname for him is the “sponge” because of his ability to soak up music.

 

Brandan said Chuck Berry is still performing and that he would like to follow in the footsteps of these famous performers by using music as a lifelong career.

 

“I just would like to be like everyone (other musicians) just playing rock and roll, country and the blues.”

 

With Brandan, it is not the notoriety he seeks, he just wants to continue to do music and play the guitar. Being a musician is his job. As a self-employed entertainer he is dedicated to his craft, is responsible for making his appearances and wants to give his audience the best he is capable of.

Brandan said he never gets nervous at a performance, and seems to have a matter-of-fact approach to performing. Brandan continues to build a repertoire of songs. His music teacher, whom Brandan still works with to sharpen his craft, said every time they meet, Brandan plays complete new piece of music each session.

He learns by listening to recordings and radio, watching stars perform, learning the piece and the style of guitar playing and eventually incorporating the music into his performances. Like many people in the entertainment industry this musician emulates performers whom he admires, such as copying the finger work of the lead guitarist for Kiss or learning the music of Carlos Santana.

This young musician has developed a business plan to get his name out there. He had guitar picks made with his name on them and during his performances he throws the picks out into the audience. There are also plans to make a second CD and to sell them at all of his performances.

For bookings, people can contact Angela Lord-Doyle at 261-5015 or [e-mail].

Eric Rossman is the project coordinator for the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities.