BroJo- Derived from 'Brotherly Mojo'- coined my my dear friend John Polk who passed May 5,2013. (Thank you brother for being near) It was his idea for the name of the cigar box guitars, mandos, ukes I build and play. But anyway I digress.

Raj- Short for Roger. The mono syllable form of my name because I'm lazy to say two syllables...and how else should I spell it? Rog?...too much like Dog. Rodg? Maybe...but four letters? Raj? seems phonetically correct. I like the look and feel of it. 

But then I thought I should look it up. Raj.
I found that it is originally a sanskrit word that denoted 'reign' or 'sovereignty' but in it's noun form came to mean 'heaven' or 'paradise' in slavic languages.

To find this was interesting because it describes the intention behind the music. My own life exploration and fumbling is fused in these songs as I've journeyed toward my own Sovereignty and toward Paradise which is not as much a place as it is an experience of serenity, and gratitude in all that life brings after taking responsibility to own what is mine and release the rest. 

It has taken me awhile to get to the place where it seems worth the effort to share my music. It has always felt like an imperative to write songs. They have been instrumental in my own evolution as they've come like gifts of clarity or catharsis.. but I've felt less compelled to perform them. But these last few years have felt different...like it's time...and I've lived these songs...and these songs have helped me. Maybe they will help ...or lift someone up...or maybe just make you tap your foot. Any meaning you give them makes me happy!

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