838!  That is how many gigs it took me to get to my big break.  Early in October, 2012, a major Nashville producer, Doc Holiday, and his staff, checked out my reverbnation site and decided they liked my voice.  Well, an email here and a phone call there, and before I knew it, I was signing a contract to record 2 of my songs at Quad Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, (yeah, that Nashville!), in February 2013!  I am so impressed with the way I have been treated by Doc Holiday and his staff, so far in this process.  If you haven't heard of him, check him out.  He is huge, and I can't believe how blessed I am to have been found by such a quality major producer!  I can't wait for February!

December 29, 2012

Vineland Middle School           

1132 36th Lane

Pueblo, Colorado 81006          

Dear Principal Maestas,

     On Thursday, December 20th, I was privileged to have the most terrifying and simultaneously exhilarating experience of my life.  I shared my life experience in word and song with your staff and student body in the gym at Vineland Middle School.

     I cannot thank you enough for allowing me this experience and asking me to share it with your school.  I learned a bit about myself that day, but more importantly, I learned about just how professional and caring you and your staff are, and how well behaved and courteous your students are.

     Please believe me when I tell you this was a privilege and an honor for me.  I wanted to do this so badly for your school, I somehow found the strength to overcome my fear of speaking in front of people.  Actually, your students and their reaction to my singing gave me that strength and validated the words I shared with them. (That, and the guitar hanging from my neck-my security blanket!)

     Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my story and hopefully inspire a great group of kids.  I am proud to say I grew up in Pueblo County, and prouder still that it was a County school that first asked to hear that story.  I know my middle school education was at PV, but after this experience, I feel somehow a part of Vineland Middle School now, and that's a good thing!          

     Please share my gratitude, especially with Miss Holmberg, for her initiation of this project, but with the rest of your staff and student body as well.  Tell them I would do this for them again in a heartbeat, and after seeing the video my dad shot, I now feel you, your staff and your students, have given me the confidence to speak again for other schools or organizations.

Sincerely yours,

Patrick Kratzer

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