John Wise - Harmony in the Unexpected

John Wise's journey into professional music wasn't born from childhood dreams of stardom or early aspirations of being a musician. Growing up in an era where practical careers were emphasized – "my mom told me, you want to get an education so you don't become a ditch digger" – his path to music emerged organically through a lifelong love of performance and cultural expression.

As a child, John was fascinated by history and Native American culture, particularly the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans. This early interest would later influence his musical direction with TRIBE, though not in ways he could have anticipated. "It's like a distillation of a distillation," he explains of how these childhood fascinations evolved into artistic expression. His early experiences with performance weren't focused on music at all. "I love to dress up," he recalls of his childhood, describing how he and his friends would create plays and performances.

These early creative expressions, combined with his interest in cultural history, laid the groundwork for his future artistic endeavors. The transition to professional musicianship was gradual. Despite working alongside musicians with master's degrees and continuously developing his craft, John "never really considered myself a musician." It was more of a hobby that ran parallel to his healthcare career, eventually evolving into something more significant.

What makes John's story unique is how he discovered success by redefining it. "When I was young, I would have probably thought being successful would be having a contract, touring, and being a band," he reflects. "Now, success is being able to stay home, in your own town, and play music for a long time." This transformation in perspective demonstrates how sometimes the most meaningful dreams aren't the ones we consciously chase, but the ones that naturally emerge from following our authentic interests and values.