Wes Geer: Korn and Hed PE guitarist on music for recoveryWes Geer: Korn and Hed PE guitarist on music for recovery
The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast
Wes Geer is a professional guitar player (Korn, Hed PE), songwriter, recording artist, and producer. What many didn’t know at the time was while he was leading his band to their first-ever record deal, Wes was a full-blown drug addict, using alcohol, methamphetamines and other drugs, daily, for years. After nearly a decade of touring the world, with the biggest names in rock, Wes’ life was imploding, and he finally left in 2003, for a ‘lifestyle change’ that ultimately ended him up in rehab in 2004. In 2012 he founded Rock to Recovery (R2R), a non-profit organization created in late 2012 with the purpose of providing those in various types of treatment and recovery programs the cathartic, uplifting, healing experience of connectivity through music.
58:25•7 Jun 2022
Wes Geer: From Rock Stardom to Rock to Recovery
“Music saved my life. I found a way to use music as a tool for my own recovery, and then I started sharing it with others, and it's become this movement that I never could have dreamed of.”
Imagine being on stage, playing to thousands of fans, yet feeling completely lost inside. That was Wes Geer's reality as the guitarist for bands like Korn and (Hed) P.E. In this episode of 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast', Wes opens up to host Ashley Loeb Blassingame about his battle with addiction and the surprising role music played in his recovery journey. Wes's story is a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
He signed his first record deal with Jive Records, toured the world, and had his music featured on MTV and in films. But behind the scenes, he was struggling with a daily addiction to alcohol and methamphetamines. The turning point came when his life began to fall apart, leading him to rehab in 2004. After getting sober, Wes faced the daunting task of figuring out what came next.
Through prayer and meditation, he found his way back to music, but this time with a new purpose. In 2010, he joined Korn as a guitarist, a gig he attributes to his sobriety. But the real magic happened when he founded Rock to Recovery, a non-profit that uses music therapy to help people heal from addiction. In this heartfelt conversation, Wes shares how music became a lifeline for him and how he's now using it to help others.
He talks about the transformative power of music therapy, even for those who aren't musicians. Wes also delves into the spiritual aspects of recovery, the importance of community, and the healing power of breath work. Wes's journey is a testament to the idea that no matter how dark things get, there's always a way out. His story is one of hope, transformation, and the incredible power of music to heal.
Tune in to hear how Wes turned his life around and is now helping others do the same.
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