Friday, January 25, 2008 9:18 PM CST
Casey man doesn't let disability stop his dreams of becoming a musician
By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
dschabbing@jg-tc.com
Bradley Bragg looks far beyond what others might see as a disability.
He doesn’t seem to notice that his limbs don’t function exactly like others do.
A graduate of Casey-Westfield High School in 2004, Bragg was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination.
He said the “slight case” of CP that he has “doesn’t slow him down.”
But, that’s only a small part of his story. He has a passion for playing the guitar and he’s learned to play it differently than most people play.
“I play it left-handed. It is reverse of what normally would be played,” Bragg said.
It is his love of music — especially blues — that has him focused on a degree in radio-television broadcasting at Lake Land College.
Bragg, 22, is hoping a career in broadcasting might give him some name recognition, and eventually, a career in music.
“I chose radio broadcasting because I have interests there and I thought it would be a good field for me to get my name out there. I really like music and music is my main interest,” he said.
He is the son of Kelly and Bill Clark, Casey; and Jim Bragg, Lerna.
“I pick up a lot of stuff by hearing it. I don’t read music. I’ve written a few songs — about five,” Bragg said.
Bragg said he’s played the guitar for about 11 years. He took lessons for nine years and said one instructor in particular moved him.
“(Instructor) Marty Williamson really inspired me. He played for a living,” he said.
Bragg said he started lessons at age 12. His dad had noticed his interest in blues music and asked if he wanted a guitar for Christmas one year.
Later, the guitar lessons came. After struggling to play the guitar right-handed, it was suggested to try it left-handed to accommodate his disability.
“One of my (guitar) instructors had the strings changed, so I could learn to play it left handed,” he said.
It was his guitar playing that got the notice of Nealy Hicks of Mattoon.
Hicks’ husband, John, helped create a guitar club at Mattoon Middle School and Bragg was a special guest there recently.
“I saw him playing his guitar two summers ago,” Nealy said. “That’s how we met, and we became friends.”
Greg Powers, radio/TV instructor and station manager for WLKL, Lake Land College’s radio station, said Bragg is a hard worker.
“He puts in the time and effort needed to get the job done,” Powers said. “He shows up when he’s supposed to, and he does what he’s required to do.”
Bragg gets some air time on WLKL Radio 89.9 FM, calling himself “Brad the Blues Rocker.” He works alongside fellow student DJ Debra Thoele of Effingham.
Powers said Bragg’s determination to achieve makes him a good role model for other students.
Heather Nohren, Lake Land College counselor and coordinator of disabilities services, agreed.
“He’s definitely a role model to other students with disabilities. He’s determined. He can draw a crowd when he plays his guitar,” Nohren said.
Bragg doesn’t dwell on CP, but instead focuses on his gift of music.
“The hardest thing is that I try to not let (cerebral palsy) get in my way. I believe if you have a dream, then go for it, and leave everything in God’s hands. More power to you.”
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.\
For more photos and to listen to Bragg play and sing some blues go to our Multimedia section.
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Billie Brant wrote on Jan 26, 2008 12:16 AM: