Jeff Britto:  

Still shredding the axe whenever I can and still play out from time to time just for fun. About 15 years ago I realized making it big in the music industry just wasn't in the cards and so I took a few years off in California and pretty much did everything there is to do in Cal. ( scuba diving, hunting, climbing, surfing, boating, bought a condo anyway you get the picture.) I basically was struggling with a career decision at that time. I love playing guitar on stage with the guys but I had not been achieving my financial goals as I had envisioned in my early years (a little more high end). When I first came to Texas 30 years ago I sold working interests in oil drilling projects (Reg. D offerings) as a part time job between gigs and college. I didn't know what the hell I was doing but I could sell and the commissions were huge (no salary just straight commission). 1 sale and I was set for 3 or 4 months cash wise. Not bad. Anyway fast forward... One day I picked up the paper and saw an ad for registered brokers for an oil industry investment firm. I said "that's it, you can do this". Ha... was I in for a big surprise. I didn't know diddly squat. Let me tell you the broker exam (commodities and state tax law exam)is one of the hardest exams out there. It took me a year and scrapping by for the first time in a long time before I passed the series 22, 63 and 39 exams. Of course my friends thought I was crazy leaving the music business, and some of them are still shaking their heads in disbelief. Well 8 years later it was all worth it. I work a lot of hours but in style and am considered a knowledgeable professional in the oil industry. In my closing, what I knew and lived... Always believe in yourself even if no one else does and never, ever give up. Its okay to have your head up in the clouds as long as you have at least one toe on the ground (as my father used to say). In other words, go after your dreams, but know your limits and be realistic and with that you have half a chance. That's just the way life is. Work like a dog and every once in awhile life will throw you a bone... Oh yeah one more thing going back to my younger days. For those of you that believed in me, Tha...Expand for more