Biography

On June 26th, 1976 I was born in Eloise, Michigan to Ralph and Theresa Cottenham. These are two great people who instilled in me a solid work ethic, and the will to earn respect from others.


For most of my early childhood I had more of an interest in music than most. While at the age of 6 others were racing soapbox cars I tore one apart to pretend the side was a guitar. My parents worked hard for everything they had and if money was given for the amount that people actually worked my parents would be wealthier than Donald Trump. For this reason my brother and I didn’t have too many luxuries growing up. We did however always have food, a home, and love.


At the age of 12 I was in an automobile accident. I was struck by a van driving 45Mph while I was walking across a road. Obviously this was an enormous set back in my life, I still have many pains and scars from that day. The love and support from my family helped me through. I however received a very small settlement (lawyers back then didn’t go for gusto). This allowed me to afford two things which would change my life forever, my first guitar and first computer.


My interest in computers accelerated at a rapid rate. During my early years of high school I was often off repairing computers for teachers in other classrooms. I have a great deal of respect for those who show me respect and I think this is why I seemed to get along better with teachers rather than my fellow students. At 16 I ran a BBS out of my bedroom called “Marvin’s Place” named after “Marvin the Martian”. I also had an quite an interest in creating new programs so when a teacher singled me out in a typing class and asked me if I wanted to try something different I agreed. He taught me programming in the language of Pascal. Having already experimented with other languages and having a good knowledge of computer hardware, I quickly accelerated through the course. I credit this teacher with giving my life direction. If not for him programming may have just been a hobby and not a career.


Simultaneously, I enjoyed writing poems and lyrics about my experiences and past memories. This allowed some of the earlier bands I was in to have our own original music. I progressed with teaching myself how to play guitar enough that I could play some classics and write music for my own songs. For most of the bands early in my music career my brother Matt played drums. He had a similar interest in music as I did. I enjoyed creating and had a drive to succeed so I began to experiment with recording music.


At the age of 20 I met the absolute love of my life. Patti has helped me to see that there is so much more to life than I could have ever imagined. During our marriage she has been there through extreme highs and lows, many bands and many jobs. I have worked as a software engineer, a systems analyst, an internet developer, and others at small businesses, for friends, as well as, a nuclear power plant the last eight years (that was an experience for both of us). I have been in bands that range from country music to screaming hardcore and loved every one of them.


God has blessed us with two healthy, happy children. Both of our children share my love for music. At 9, Brendan excels at reading, computers, and music. At 6, Julia is the smartest wittiest loveable character you will ever meet. They inspire me to become a better person every day.


With the love and support of my wife I started my own company, SevenFX Productions. I gave it my all so that I could live the the dream of not working for someone else. I owned and operated a digital recording studio in which I recorded many bands and musicians. I became a very good producer. I also developed applications such as SafeMusic, a piece of software that allows parents to remove swear words for their children. I have always had an entrepreneurial mind set which has allowed me to become a leader in many areas. While I tried my absolute hardest and gave my all to SevenFX Productions the unfortunate economy of the state of Michigan forced me into submission.


What has made Patti the most important and influential part of my life has been her will to embrace my vision. She believes in me, if it weren’t for her I would be lost.


In 2007 we rebooted our life in Georgia.  During that time I set aside music to focus on getting our lives back on track.  It was wonderful and hard at the same time.  Our lives were booming, everything was going great.  Then a year and a half into it we decided that being away from our families just wasn't worth it anymore.  Life has taken us on some rocky roads.  In 2009 we moved back home to Michigan.  


I will bring this family to the point of success which to me these days has an entirely different definition than it did a couple years ago.