Band major.

• Position: Final entry - Interview with A.J. Major - Interview

Not only is A.J. Major the incoming vice chair for CalCPA Council (see Page 28), but he's in a rock band--as well as a CPA and partner with the firm Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Company, LLP. When he's not helping clients of all sizes with their accounting needs, he's sitting behind a drum set with his band, 2endeavor. We caught up with Major in the midst of tax season to ask him a few questions about balancing accounting with his music career.

What came first: Being a CPA or a certified member of a band?

Music came first, most definitely. I was actually in jazz, concert and marching band in high school. Believe it or not, I wasn't part of any rock bands until I was in my late 40s. And I did not catch the accounting bug until around the age of 24.

How has your music career developed?

I almost majored in music right out of high school, and had scholarship offers to LSU, Loyola and Southern University. The thing that scared me off was music theory, and the fact I could only major in music. They would not let me major in music and work on my law degree at the same time. Go figure. I stopped playing at the age of 20, and did not pick up an instrument for 20-plus years until my pastor nudged me to start playing at church. My only regret in life is that I did not play for such a long time. A few years later, one of my tax clients--who also happens to be a friend and an accomplished musician--asked "Do you play drums? We're looking for a drummer." The rest is history.

I hear you write your own songs and have a studio in your house? How can one hear your tunes?

The band I have been with for a few years now has original music available on the internet (i.e. YouTube etc.). We released a CD five years ago (available on CD Baby), and we are working on a new one. If you Google "2endeavor," you should be able to locate clips.

What sort of gigs do you play?

The normal stuff: Nightclubs, fundraisers private...