Origin of the name.

My last name is Wood. My family and friends have been calling me “Wood” since high school. Without going into details, I’ll just say I vowed to try use the good traits inherited from my forefathers, reject the bad, and try to make Wood a respectable name. Wood however, is only half of my bloodline.

My grandfather, Howard Black, died before I was born, but all the tales told of him painted a picture of a hardworking, honest, WWII veteran who always put his family first. I did grow up knowing my grandmother though, and she was a hell of a woman. A strong willed, smart as a whip survivor. She then passed those traits down to my mother who was also an incredible women. I am trying to always better myself, and combining the best traits and lessons from both sides of my family is one of the ways I try to achieve this. 

I am not just a Wood, I am a Blackwood. 

The pirate persona is just a how I deal with my imposter syndrome and to buffer myself from any possible claims of cultural appropriation. I am using rhythms and melodies of other cultures…. because… I’m a pirate. Let it be known however, that my use of them comes from a place of pure love and respect.