We had the good fortune of connecting with william babin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi william, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Actually there are two: 1. Set an example. our children are now 40 and 35 and they often talk and joke with us about how hard we worked running our own business. I don’t know how you can teach this quality except by setting an example. Children watch their parents and much of their adult behavior is based on watching their parents. 2. Spend time with them. Because my wife and I worked at night, we did miss the daily “family dinner” experience. But we maximized the other time we had with our children. Instead of dinner, we always had a big breakfast and time together before school. We volunteered in their classrooms and helped out with school functions. and then we also had one night each week that one parent spent alone with one child doing whatever that child wanted to do. Those two ideas will go a long way in helping raise confident hardworking kids with ambition. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Nothing lifts me up higher than being on stage playing drums in front of people. I am most proud that BIG ZEPHYR 1) published a Christmas CD in 2017…. 2) performed in front of 15,000+ on July 4, 2019….. 3) created a beautiful musical tribute to Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles. It has been very challenging to get Big Zephyr to the point we are today. Most challenging has been personnel, finding the right people who want the same thing on stage. Basically, it takes time to do that and then you need to be strong enough to make changes in personnel when needed. What is special about BIG ZEPHYR….. a musician friend said recently, “No one else that I know put so much value into their production.” That means we rehearse and we rehearse and then we rehearse. We don’t use tracks. All our vocals are live.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well first and foremost, I would take them to Saguaro Lake for a day in the sun on the water. So much natural beauty. I would also take them to Tempe Towne lake and ride bikes around there and watch the sunset near Tempe Center for the arts. Have at least one meal at Tia Rosa Mexican Restaurant. Also go to Tequila on the Rocks at The Buttes in Tempe for drinks and beautiful night views of the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My partner and wife, Jocelyn, first and foremost. But writers like Deepok Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Eric Butterworth and Jenn Sincero were big influences.

Website: www.bigzephyrmusic.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-babin-9b5301b/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebigzephyr
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiokH1aFUgaNrBPpaL9cNHw?view_as=subscriber
Other: www.billbabin.com

Image Credits
Dana Gibbons, Maria Fossler

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