Josh Cleveland, born and raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has always been enthralled with and surrounded by music. Whether it was hymns in church or Stevie Wonder on the radio, Josh’s steps have always had a soundtrack. For the past two decades Josh has been adding his own songs to this soundtrack.

Josh started off as all good songwriters do… as a drummer in a high school garage band. In college, he came out from behind the drums for a new band and began writing and singing songs about dogs, faith, and girls. Influences like Amos Lee, Martin Sexton, U2 and Eddie Vedder taught Josh to see everyday life through the eyes of music. The joy in writing music, for Josh, is learning to find the gems, the memorable elements, in sometimes unexpected parts of life. Whether these are funny, sad, profound or seemingly random, his mission is to capture within them something familiar and essential.

In his own words: “I want my music to mean something. I want, if only for a moment, my songs to connect my story to the stories of those listening. Heart to heart, beat for beat.”

Root of a Man is his latest effort. Nestle up, grab those close to you and take a listen to this soundtrack. Get lost for a little bit in each note, in each word. Let it take root in you. You just might find something familiar, and be reminded who you are and who you want to be.