Today we’d like to introduce you to Ditching Pat
Hi Ditching Pat, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Acoustic duo Ditching Pat (Rich Stolp and Jake Williams) met as college kids in the early 2000s after Jake tore Rich’s flyer off a bulletin board in a NJ music store. After playing as a duo for several months we formed a band and performed around the tri-state area until life took Rich to the west coast for the next 16 years. As fate would have it, Jake also eventually relocated to the bay area. After reconnecting in 2018 we began writing and recording original songs as Ditching Pat. After finally lining up several live performances in San Francisco in March of 2020, COVID hit and each performance was cancelled, one by one. Months later Rich once again relocated to central Texas and Jake to Phoenix, Arizona. Fate stepped in once again Rich and Jake began working together virtually, writing and releasing several original songs. Ditching Pat continues to write and record and we get together several times a year to perform in TX, AZ and even our home state of NJ. Time and time again our lives have taken us in different directions, but we always seem to reconnect.
Ditching Pat continues to perform coast to coast, playing both originals and covers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our road was anything but smooth. Connecting at first in the early 2000s, we wrote, recorded and performed several original and cover songs. Rich eventually relocated to California, breaking up the duo. Life stepped in and Jake eventually relocated to the bay area as well, where we reconnected and picked up right where we left off. After scheduling several shows in early 2020, the pandemic hit and each performance was cancelled. Ditching Pat never got off the ground to perform in front of audiences. Again, Rich relocated, this time to Texas. Not long after, Jake moved to Arizona. Though a thousand miles apart, we’ve somehow managed to continue to write and record new songs. In addition, we get together several times a year to perform live shows in Arizona, Texas and wherever we get the chance.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Rich: With an educational background in Marine Biology, I’ve spent most of my career in the world of biotech. I’ve worked on everything from cancer therapies to genetic testing and I’m currently a Quality Assurance Specialist for a company specializing in genetic testing with a focus on women’s health, cancer and organ health. I’m known for being a stickler for details, to the point I’ve been asked, “Can you please stop finding mistakes?” I’m most proud of working for companies whose missions are to help people in many different ways.
Jake: Operations Manager in healthcare research for the largest lower back pain study ever funded.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Come see Ditching Pat and check out our new Christmas song “I Can’t Wait for Christmas,” on all music streamers now!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ditchingpat.bandcamp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditching_pat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DitchingPat
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4lRT9tmAJfrfLxMnsA6h2w
Image Credits
Matt Magbee @ www.magbees.com
IG: MMMagbee
