Twenty years ago on this day, my parents gave me a shinny, black electric bass guitar. The year was 1986. I was 13 years old.

Today the bass is just as important to me as it was that day. It's my voice, and I wouldn't want to imagine my life without it. This year I plan on making huge strides in my playing. When you tell people that you've been playing for 20 years, they sort of expect you to kick ass.