Luke Combs
Luke Combs is an American country music singer and songwriter. Born and raised in North Carolina, Combs began performing as a child, most notably performing at Carnegie Hall. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he released his debut extended play, The Way She Rides, in 2014. In 2017, Combs released his debut album, This One's for You, which reached number four on the Billboard 200. Combs released his second album, What You See Is What You Get, on November 8, 2019. The album topped the charts in multiple territories, becoming his first to do so. A deluxe version of the album was released on October 23, 2020, including the song "Forever After All".
Books Mentioned on The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) #1956 - Joe Rogan & Luke Combs:
Book Title: American Buffalo – In Search For A Lost Icon
Author: Steven Rinella
Joe Rogan Podcast: Luke Combs on Learning to Play Guitar at 21 and the Moment that Led Him to Music
Many individuals face challenges when it comes to pursuing their passions, especially when it involves a lack of natural talent or difficulty with certain skills. This was the case for a young man who believed that his only option in the music industry was to become a music teacher. However, Luke Combs struggled with reading music due to a possible form of dyslexia, which hindered his ability to pursue this path.
Despite these setbacks, Combs continued to explore his love for music through various avenues. He joined an acapella group in college and played rugby while singing at parties. It wasn't until he experienced a summer of self-reflection and discovered his talent for playing the guitar and songwriting that he found his true calling. This life-changing decision led him to perform his first gig and receive a positive reception, solidifying his passion for music.
Key Takeaways
- Pursuing a passion can be challenging, especially when faced with setbacks such as a lack of natural talent or difficulty with certain skills.
- Despite these setbacks, exploring different avenues and continuing to pursue one's passion can lead to life-changing decisions.
- Self-reflection and discovery of hidden talents can lead to a fulfilling career path.
Challenges in Music Education
Learning music can be a challenging task, especially for those who struggle with reading music or have difficulty with math. Sight-singing auditions, which require the ability to read sheet music and sing the notes accurately, can also be a significant hurdle for aspiring musicians.
In addition, music education often requires a significant investment of time and effort, which can be difficult for individuals with busy schedules or limited resources. Finding qualified instructors and access to quality instruments can also be a challenge in some areas, making it difficult for students to receive a comprehensive music education.
Despite these challenges, many individuals find that the rewards of music education are worth the effort. For some, learning to play an instrument or sing can be a life-changing experience that opens up new opportunities and perspectives. With dedication and perseverance, anyone can overcome the challenges of music education and achieve their goals.
Experience in School Music Theory
Luke Combs had a difficult time with music theory in school. They struggled with reading music and had a hard time with math, which they believe may be related to a form of dyslexia. Despite their struggles, they took an advanced placement music theory class in their senior year of high school, but only managed to get a D grade. They also tried out for Allstate chorus three times but never made it because they couldn't read the music.
In college, Luke Combs joined an acapella group but eventually gave it up. He played rugby instead and he would sing at parties as a party trick. It wasn't until Combs moved back home after his junior year of college that his life changed forever. Feeling lost and alone, his mom suggested he try playing the guitar since some famous musicians didn't learn until they were 21. Luke Combs taught himself how to play that summer and became obsessed with it. By the time Luke Combs was 22, he had written his first few songs and played his first gig, which was a huge success.
Overall, Luke Combs' experience in school music theory was challenging, but it ultimately led them to discover their passion for music and pursue it as a career.
Failed Attempts at Sight Singing Auditions
Luke Combs shared that he had attempted to audition for the All-State chorus three times during his high school years, but failed each time due to his inability to read music. The audition required sight singing, which involved being handed a piece of sheet music and having to sing it by reading the notes on the page. This was a combination of the singer's voice quality and their ability to keep up with the All-State choir teacher's expectations.
Luke Combs also mentioned that he took a new class in their senior year of high school called Advanced Placement Music Theory, which was taught by the band teacher who was also the husband of the choir teacher. However, he received a D in the class as it required him to read music.
Despite Luke Combs' struggles with sight singing, the speaker tried to improve their skills by getting coaching and practicing. They even tried out for an acapella group in college but eventually gave it up.
It wasn't until Luke Combs' mom suggested he try playing the guitar that he found his true passion for music. Luke Combs taught himself how to play and started writing his own songs. This led to his first gig at a local bar, which was a huge success and changed his life forever.
Overall, the speaker's failed attempts at sight singing auditions highlight the importance of having a natural talent for music and the challenges that come with trying to improve in areas that may not come as easily.
Experiences in College Acapella Group
During his freshman year in college, Luke Combs joined an acapella group as an after-school activity. Although he enjoyed it, he eventually gave it up at the beginning of his sophomore year. He then played rugby and became the designated singer at parties, but he did not pursue music seriously.
It was not until after his junior year in college when he moved back home and felt lost that he picked up a guitar his parents had bought him in seventh grade. He taught himself how to play over the summer and became obsessed with it. By the time he was 22, he started writing his own songs and booked a gig at a local bar. He made $200 that night, which was more than both of his jobs that week, and he was hooked.
This experience was a life-changing moment for him, and he knew that pursuing music was what he wanted to do. It was not a hard decision for him to make, as he had always loved singing and playing music.
Transition to Rugby and Singing at Parties
After failing to pursue music due to his inability to read music, Luke Combs turned to other interests such as rugby. He played rugby in college and became known for singing at parties, which became his "party trick."
When Luke Combs moved back home after his junior year of college, he found himself feeling lost and without friends. His mother encouraged him to pick up the guitar that he had received as a gift in seventh grade but had never played. He spent the summer teaching himself how to play and became obsessed with learning.
By the time he was 22 and back in college, he began writing his own songs and booked his first gig at a local bar. He borrowed a guitar and PA speakers from friends and ended up making $200 from the show. This experience solidified his love for music and he realized that it was what he wanted to pursue.
Luke Combs describes this realization as a "true aha moment" and credits it with changing his life. He believes that if he had not pursued music, he would not know what he would be doing now.
Summer of Self-Reflection
During the summer after his junior year of college, the speaker found himself feeling lost and unsure about his future. He had moved back home to Asheville, North Carolina, and was working at a go-kart place with high school kids, feeling like he had no direction in life.
One day, his mother suggested that he try playing guitar, reminding him that famous musicians like Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw didn't even learn to play until they were 21 years old. So, Combs dug out an old guitar from his closet and spent the entire summer teaching himself how to play.
By the time he returned to college in the fall, he had become obsessed with learning how to play and began dabbling in writing his own songs. He even booked a gig at a local bar, where he played for 200 of his friends and made $200.
This experience was a turning point for Combs, as he realized that music was his true passion and calling. He felt a sense of clarity and purpose that he had never experienced before, and from that point on, he dedicated himself fully to pursuing a career in music.
Learning Guitar at 21
Luke Combs had always thought that the only option for pursuing music was to become a music teacher. However, he did not want to become one because he couldn't read music and struggled with math due to some form of dyslexia. He had tried to read music before, but it never made sense to him. He had taken a music theory class in high school but had only managed to score a D. He had also tried out for Allstate chorus three times but never made it because he couldn't do the sight-singing audition.
Despite not being able to read music, he enjoyed singing and joined an a cappella group in his freshman year of college. However, he eventually gave it up and focused on playing rugby.
It wasn't until he moved back home after his junior year of college that he discovered his love for playing the guitar. His parents had bought him a guitar in seventh grade, but he had never played it because he didn't enjoy it. One day, his mom suggested that he learn to play the guitar by reminding him that Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw had all learned to play the guitar when they were 21.
He decided to give it a try and spent the entire summer teaching himself how to play. He practiced every day and eventually became obsessed with learning how to play. By the time he was 22, he was writing his own songs and performing at local bars.
He booked his first gig at a bar where his rugby team hung out and managed to attract over 200 people who paid a dollar each to see him perform. He made $200 that night, which was more than he made at both of his jobs that week. He was hooked and realized that music was his true passion.
Learning to play the guitar had been a life-changing experience for him, and he couldn't imagine doing anything else. It was a true "aha" moment that opened up a new world of possibilities for him.
Discovery of Songwriting
At first, the only option that came to mind for Luke was to become a music teacher. However, he did not want to pursue that career path because he struggled with reading music due to his dyslexia. He tried to learn how to read music in high school and college, but he still could not grasp it. As a result, he did not make the All-State chorus three years in a row because the audition required sight-reading, which he found difficult.
Luke's interest in music resurfaced when he moved back home after his junior year of college and was feeling lost and alone. His mother reminded him that Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw did not learn to play guitar until they were 21, which was his age at the time. This motivated him to pick up the guitar his parents had bought him in seventh grade and taught himself how to play during the summer.
Once he had learned how to play guitar, he started writing his own songs and eventually booked a gig at a bar. He borrowed his neighbor's guitar because his was not acoustic-electric, and his friend lent him his PA speakers. He played in front of 200 people who paid a dollar each to see him, and he made 200 dollars that night. This experience made him realize that he loved performing and songwriting, and it was a life-changing moment for him. From that point on, he pursued music with passion and never looked back.
First Gig and Positive Reception
After teaching himself how to play guitar, Luke booked his first gig at a bar where his rugby team hung out. He borrowed his neighbor's guitar and his friend's PA speakers. He sat on a stool and played his own songs to a crowd of 200 friends who paid a dollar each to see him. That night, he made $200, which was more than what he earned in a week from both of his jobs.
Luke was ecstatic. He loved performing and having fun with his friends. It was a true "aha" moment that changed his life forever. From that point on, he was hooked and saw no hard work in pursuing his passion for music.
Luke's positive reception at his first gig encouraged him to continue pursuing music. It was a turning point in his life that opened a new door of possibilities.
Realization and Life-Changing Decision
Luke had always thought that the only option for him was to become a music teacher. However, he was not good at reading music and struggled with math. He even tried to read music but failed. He took an advanced placement music theory class in his senior year and got a D. He also tried out for Allstate chorus three years in high school but failed because he couldn't read music.
After his junior year in college, Luke moved back home to Asheville and had a hard time finding his purpose in life. One day, his mom encouraged him by telling him that Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw didn't even learn to play guitar until they were 21 years old. This inspired Luke to pick up the guitar his parents had bought him in seventh grade but never played. He spent the entire summer teaching himself how to play the guitar and became obsessed with it.
By the time he was 22, Luke was back in school and starting to write his own songs. He booked a gig at a bar and borrowed his neighbor's guitar. 200 of his friends came out to see him and paid a dollar each. He made $200 that night, which was more than he made in both of his jobs that week. This experience was life-changing for Luke. He realized that he loved performing and that it just made sense to him. He had found his passion and never looked back.
Luke Combs On His Rare OCD & Mental Health | Joe Rogan | JRE 1956
People with OCD often experience intrusive thoughts that result in a cycle of anxiety and compulsive behavior. This type of OCD is known as "purely obsessional OCD," where unanswered questions in the person's mind trigger the need to find an answer through rituals. These thoughts can be related to anything, from religion to violence, and can shift over time, causing a great deal of distress.
Living with OCD can be challenging, as the disorder can be all-consuming and impact every aspect of a person's life. Coping mechanisms, such as accepting uncertainty and living with the paradox of OCD, can help manage symptoms. Understanding the different types of OCD and the role of fear and uncertainty in the disorder is essential to finding effective ways to cope.
Understanding OCD
OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a mental health condition that affects an individual's thoughts and behaviors. It is characterized by the presence of obsessions, which are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress, anxiety, and fear. The individual may engage in compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are performed in response to the obsessions. These compulsions aim to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessions or to prevent a feared outcome.
There are different types of OCD, and one of them is Purely Obsessional OCD. This type of OCD is characterized by the presence of unanswered questions in an individual's mind that can never be answered. The individual becomes obsessed with finding an answer to these questions, which leads to anxiety and distress. Purely Obsessional OCD does not involve visible compulsions, but the individual may engage in mental rituals, such as seeking reassurance or checking their thoughts.
The obsessions in Purely Obsessional OCD can vary and may include themes such as religion, violence, sexuality, and morality. For example, an individual who values their religious beliefs may have intrusive thoughts about blasphemous acts or doubts about their faith. The individual may become obsessed with finding an answer to these thoughts, which leads to anxiety and distress.
Living with OCD can be challenging, and it can significantly impact an individual's daily life. It is essential to seek professional help if you suspect that you or someone you know may have OCD. Treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication, can help manage the symptoms of OCD and improve an individual's quality of life.
Types of OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. OCD is a disorder that is characterized by repetitive, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that are intended to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. There are different types of OCD, and each type is characterized by a specific theme or pattern of obsessions and compulsions.
One type of OCD is Purely Obsessional OCD, also known as Pure OCD. This type of OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts that are focused on a theme or question that cannot be answered. People with Pure OCD may experience intrusive thoughts about their values, morals, or identity, which can be distressing and cause significant anxiety. The compulsions associated with Pure OCD are mental, such as reviewing, analyzing, or seeking reassurance, rather than physical actions like washing or checking.
Another type of OCD is Contamination OCD, which is characterized by a fear of germs or contamination. People with Contamination OCD may engage in excessive cleaning or avoidance behaviors to reduce their anxiety. They may also experience intrusive thoughts about contamination, which can be distressing and cause significant anxiety.
Hoarding OCD is another type of OCD, which is characterized by persistent difficulty in discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. People with Hoarding OCD may experience significant distress or impairment due to their hoarding behavior.
Other types of OCD include Symmetry and Ordering OCD, which is characterized by the need for things to be in a specific order or symmetry, and Harm OCD, which is characterized by intrusive thoughts about causing harm to oneself or others.
It is important to note that OCD is a complex disorder, and many people may experience symptoms that do not fit neatly into one specific type. Treatment for OCD typically involves a combination of medication and therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Impacts of Purely Obsessional OCD
Purely obsessional OCD, also known as pure OCD, is a type of OCD that is characterized by the presence of unanswered questions in one's mind that can never be answered. This form of OCD is relatively new in medical terms, with the first explorations of this type occurring in the 1980s.
The impacts of pure OCD can be severe and debilitating. Individuals with this form of OCD become obsessed with the meaning of their thoughts and why they entered their brain, even though the thoughts do not have any significance. The ritual is trying to find an answer to the unanswered questions, which can be distressing and time-consuming.
One of the impacts of pure OCD is the triggering of a flight or fight response, which causes a panic attack. This response is triggered when a person with pure OCD has a thought that goes against their core beliefs, such as religious beliefs or personal values. The obsession becomes why they had that thought and what it means, which can attack the things that are essentially the antithesis of who they are as a person.
People with pure OCD can have violent obsessions, such as having a thought of stabbing someone, even though they are gentle souls. This thought causes them anxiety, and they become obsessed with it. They may research the symptoms of being a psychopath or wonder if they are schizophrenic.
The themes of pure OCD can shift over time, and each period can last for three to six months. The individual may have a different theme each time, and they may think back on the previous theme and consider it dumb.
Living with pure OCD can be challenging, and the uncertainty of the unanswered questions perpetuates the disorder. The only way to talk oneself out of it is to live with the uncertainty and accept that the thoughts may come and go. It is a paradox, but tricking the disorder by accepting the uncertainty can help stop the thoughts from coming in continually.
Coping Mechanisms
Individuals with Pure Obsessional OCD often experience intense anxiety and fear due to their recurring, unwanted thoughts, which can be distressing and cause them to question their values and beliefs. Coping mechanisms are essential for managing the symptoms of Pure Obsessional OCD. Here are some strategies that can help:
Acceptance: Accepting the uncertainty of the situation and acknowledging that the thoughts are just thoughts and not a reflection of reality can help reduce anxiety and distress.
Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help individuals with Pure Obsessional OCD focus on the present moment and reduce anxiety caused by intrusive thoughts.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): ERP is a type of therapy that involves gradually exposing individuals to their fears and preventing them from performing compulsive behaviors. This type of therapy can help individuals with Pure Obsessional OCD learn to manage their anxiety and reduce the frequency and intensity of their intrusive thoughts.
Self-care: Engaging in self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones can help individuals with Pure Obsessional OCD manage their anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
It is important to note that coping mechanisms may vary from person to person, and it may take time to find the strategies that work best for each individual. Seeking professional help from a therapist or mental health provider can also be beneficial for managing symptoms of Pure Obsessional OCD.
Personal Experiences
The speaker in the video suffers from a form of OCD called Purely Obsessional OCD. This type of OCD is characterized by unanswered questions in the individual's mind that can never be answered, and the ritual is trying to find an answer. The speaker's obsession revolves around the meaning of thoughts that slip through their head every day, which triggers a flight or fight response and causes panic attacks.
The speaker's personal experience with OCD is that they become obsessed with the meaning of those thoughts and why they entered their brain when really they don't mean anything. For example, if someone is super religious, one theme of their obsession could be that they have a thought of hating God, which triggers a panic attack.
The speaker explains that people like them become obsessed with the things that are essentially the antithesis of who they actually are. They get on their phone and search for answers to their obsession. These themes shift over time, but that period could last for three to six months at a time before another thought comes in.
The speaker's personal experience with OCD is that it comes in waves and they cannot control it. They liken the severity of their OCD to someone murdering their whole family, and they would rather have the murderer be free and live with what they had than go to jail. The speaker emphasizes that they wouldn't wish it on anybody in the entire world.
The speaker's friend who is a comic also suffers from OCD and gets thoughts that he couldn't stop and didn't know why. He would have panic attacks, and one time, he got a thought in his head that said, "Don't say the n-word," which paralyzed him with fear. He had a full-on panic attack while he was performing and bombing.
The only way to talk oneself out of OCD is to live with the uncertainty. The speaker explains that being afraid of OCD perpetuates it, and the only answer is to trick the disorder by living with the uncertainty.
The Role of Fear in OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. OCD is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that individuals perform in response to these thoughts. OCD can take many forms, but one form is known as Purely Obsessional OCD. This type of OCD is characterized by unanswered questions in an individual's mind that can never be answered, and the ritual is trying to find an answer.
The unanswered questions in Purely Obsessional OCD can be related to any aspect of an individual's life, such as religion, relationships, or even violent thoughts. For example, an individual who is religious may have a thought that goes against their beliefs, such as "what if I hate God?" This thought triggers a flight or fight response, causing a panic attack. The obsession becomes why they had that thought, what it means, and if they really hate God. This type of obsession attacks the things that are antithetical to who they are, causing anxiety.
The fear of the thoughts coming continually is what stresses individuals with OCD. They think that the thoughts must be who they are, but in reality, the questions can never be answered. The more they have these thoughts, the more they think that they are becoming the thoughts. They become obsessed with the meaning of those thoughts and why they entered their brain when, in reality, they don't mean anything.
The only answer to Purely Obsessional OCD is living with uncertainty. Individuals need to talk themselves out of the obsessive thoughts by accepting that they might do the thing they fear. By accepting that they might do it, they trick the disorder into stopping the thoughts. If they don't care about the thoughts anymore, their brain stops sending them, and the thoughts are no longer distressing.
The Paradox of OCD
Purely obsessional OCD, also known as pure OCD, is a newer form of OCD that involves unanswered questions in one's mind that cannot be resolved. The obsession is the search for an answer to these questions. Unlike the common perception of OCD, pure OCD does not involve physical compulsions such as washing hands or straightening objects. Instead, it is characterized by intrusive and distressing thoughts that trigger a flight or fight response in the individual.
These thoughts can vary in themes, such as violent obsessions or religious obsessions, and can shift over time. People with pure OCD become obsessed with the meaning of these thoughts and why they entered their brain, even though they do not necessarily hold any significance. The obsession attacks the things that are essential to the individual's identity, causing anxiety and panic attacks.
The paradox of pure OCD is that being afraid of the thought perpetuates it. The only way to talk oneself out of it is by living with the uncertainty and accepting the possibility of the thought becoming a reality. By accepting the thought, the individual tricks the disorder, and the brain stops sending these distressing thoughts.
Living with pure OCD can be a challenging experience, as the thoughts can be overwhelming and uncontrollable. However, by understanding the paradox of OCD and learning to live with uncertainty, individuals with pure OCD can find relief and live a fulfilling life.
The Uncertainty Principle in OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. OCD is often characterized by repetitive behaviors or compulsions and intrusive thoughts or obsessions. However, there is a lesser-known form of OCD called Purely Obsessional OCD, which is characterized by unanswered questions in one's mind that can never be answered.
The uncertainty principle in OCD refers to the idea that individuals with Purely Obsessional OCD become obsessed with the meaning of their intrusive thoughts and why they entered their brain. The ritual in this form of OCD is trying to find an answer to these unanswered questions. For example, a person who is deeply religious and has a core belief in God may have a thought that questions their faith, causing a flight or fight response. This response triggers a panic attack, which gives validity to the thought and sends it more and more to the person's brain.
The themes of these intrusive thoughts shift over time, and the period of obsession could last for months. The person becomes obsessed with finding an answer to the unanswered question, which attacks the things that are essentially the antithesis of who they are. For instance, a person who has a thought of stabbing someone, even though they do not want to, can become obsessed with the meaning of the thought, leading to anxiety and panic attacks.
Living with the uncertainty principle is the only way to manage Purely Obsessional OCD. The person has to accept that they may never find an answer to their unanswered questions and learn to live with the uncertainty. Accepting the uncertainty helps to break the cycle of distressing thoughts, which perpetuates the disorder.
In conclusion, Purely Obsessional OCD is a lesser-known form of OCD that is characterized by unanswered questions in one's mind. The uncertainty principle in OCD refers to the obsession with finding an answer to these questions. Accepting the uncertainty is the only way to manage this form of OCD.
Conclusion
Purely obsessional OCD is a form of OCD that is characterized by unanswered questions in the mind, which can never be answered. The ritual is trying to find an answer to these questions. The thoughts that trigger this disorder can be anything, and they shift over time. The period of obsession can last for three, four, five, or six months at a time. The obsession becomes why did I have that thought, what does it mean, and do I really hate this thing. The disorder attacks the things that are essentially the antithesis of the person's being. The thoughts that keep coming in continually are what stresses the person out. The more they have them, the more they think that must be who they are. The disorder is like a paradox, and the person is almost tricking the disorder by living with the uncertainty. If the person doesn't care about the thoughts anymore, then their brain stops sending the thoughts because the thoughts are what's distressing.