As the neon lights of Las Vegas buzz with the excitement of Super Bowl weekend, I'm joined by the remarkable Derek Duranslet to reminisce about our days in the Lucky Strike limelight and mull over his rise from Vice President to Senior Vice President of a leading company. Our conversation is a tribute to the powerful role personal connections play in shaping our professional landscapes, with a nod to the lasting influence of iconic spots like Lucky Strike, a haven for Hollywood's elite. Together, we also shine a spotlight on the upcoming 2024 Gridiron Great Celebrity Golf Classic, a convergence of sports, charity, and the joyous spirit of camaraderie.

This is not an episode we ever thought we would need to record, yet here we are, reflecting on recent heartrending tragedies, like the shooting at UNLV. On our journey to understanding, we find solace in the company of our dear friend, Ryan Patrick from the band Otherwise. We weave through our emotion-laden experiences, using music as our thread, as we explore its potential to heal and unite in times of despair.

Ryan and I, we're not just musicians. We're also passionate about reaching out to those who could use a comforting musical note. Our conversation turns to the transformative power of music, especially for our heroes - the veterans. As part of our outreach program, Life by Music, we have been offering a free six-week guitar course for veterans. It's not just about teaching chords and jam tracks, it's about creating a refuge, a place of music and healing. We also share some emotionally charged stories about friends battling cancer and how music acted as a therapeutic escape for them.

In this episode, we also shine a spotlight on the potential of music as a transformative tool for at-risk youth. Joined by a nonprofit founder and graduate of the Las Vegas Academy, we discuss plans to donate instruments to Clark County School District music programs. As we wrap up, we can't go without expressing our gratitude to you, our loyal listeners, and our sponsors who've backed us throughout this journey. So, let's face it together, life's rocky roads and the symphony of our triumphs, one song at a time.