Friends,

There comes a time when dreams change, when priorities morph into something different and Life takes your hand and gently leads in a new, albeit, a difficult direction.  Over the past four years, I have counted myself most richly blessed.  I have been blessed to be an active participant in the dreams that I held dear, and the dreams that my friends held dear, as well.  To be a member of Holding Out has been one of the highlights of my life.

It is with a paradoxical mixture of great excitement and also a deep sadness that I am leaving Holding Out.  While I am walking away from the musical entity, I pray that I am not walking away from the friendships that I have made.  I pray that I am not walking away from the inspiration and joy that I received from my experiences here with all my friends.  “It’s so hard to do, and so easy to say, that sometimes…sometimes, you have to walk away.” – Ben Harper

I have felt the tugging on my heart of a new direction, a new place in this world that is ripe for the taking.  In a blatantly ironic turn of events, the one profession that I always said that I didn’t want to do, I feel is the best suited to my abilities and talents.  I am leaving to pursue my Juris Doctorate, so that I can practice law.  My new bride and I (I was recently married to the love of my life, Ashley Martin), will be moving to Pennsylvania to attend Penn State Dickinson School of Law.  This is particularly difficult because of the great distance that we will be moving.  We have loved our time here in Portland so fervently, that it seems strange that we should leave, but we will be moving in August.  I can’t express how much we covet your thoughts and prayers, but more than that, we simply covet your friendship.

My last show with Holding Out will be on August 9th.  This will be about two days before we move.  We would love to have you all come and see us.  For details on the show, please view the band's calendar for more information.

This has been a beautiful ride for me, and I wish my dear friends, Scott, Kelly and Jen the best of success.  I have grown as a person because of their friendship, and I have been invaluably blessed by their generosity and love.  It is tough to know that my shows with them are limited, but I must reiterate that this is the direction that I feel I must walk.

At the risk of giving a cliché farewell, I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you that have made this the most enjoyable experience it could have been.  Paul writes that he thanked God every time he remembered those who he considered his friends.  I do as well.  I am constantly humbled out the outpouring of love and support that I consistently receive.  As my last words here, I would like to echo the sentiments of the Unknown Confederate Soldier.  I resonate with this:

“I received… everything I had hoped for.  I am, among all men, most richly blessed.”

With endless gratitude,

David