Today we’d like to introduce you to Elliott McKenzie.
Elliott, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I served in the Marine Corps and Army Reserves from 2003 to 2011. During my time in the Marine Corps, I served in both Security Forces and the Infantry. With Security Forces, I was part of a Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (like a SWAT team) and Presidential Support Duty (a handful of Marines selected to help guard the President of the United States in Washington DC). With the Infantry I served in 1st Battalion, 5th Marines and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My job there was to be on the front lines and engage with the enemy daily. After coming home from Iraq, I deployed again in 2006 with that same battalion to Okinawa, Japan as a part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. I got out of the Marines in 2007 with an Honorable Discharge and joined the Army Reserves until 2011. With the Army, I served as a Civil Affairs Specialist at the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, CA.
Immediately after getting out of the Marines, I began experiencing severe symptoms of severe PTSD, depression, anxiety, and hyper-awareness. The issues became so severe that I ended up in a 51/50 mental hospital at the VA after a violent incident with my brother at home. After that 72-hour hold, I lived in my car for a short period before reaching out for help and being placed in transitional housing for homeless Veterans in Long Beach. I spent a year and a half at this facility before couch surfing with friends. Finally, I ended up back with my family years later.
In 2010 I decided to try college. I spent three years struggling with grades while also dealing with my PTSD and other issues. I had days when my depression was so bad, I wouldn’t get out of bed. I ended up dropping out of school due to getting nothing but D’s and F’s in classes and being placed on academic probation. This was the point when I decided to stop allowing my issues to plague me and turn my life around. I went to a VA Vet Center for help. I spent two years in therapy and had the best Therapist. She was a former Marine who wanted to help her fellow Veterans. After getting to know a bit about me and my life, I told her about how music had been a large part of me. During my childhood and teenage years, I had always been involved in music. I sang in choir in high school and had played drums all my life including years in my high school drumline. I also sang during my time in the Marine Corps and recorded an album while in Okinawa, Japan (which was never released to the public). She suggested I turn to my talents in music and singing as natural forms of medicine for my mental illnesses (I had nearly choked to death from a reaction to a medication and was scared to take pills again). Taking this advice saved my life and changed it forever.
I immediately went out and purchased recording studio equipment started writing songs and started finding ways to get booked to perform. The adrenaline released from performing combined with the allowance of expression from the songwriting began to heal me more than medicine ever did. I went from angry to calm……anxious to relaxed……scared to focused……and worse to better. In 2015 I returned to the college I had dropped out of and went from D’s and F’s to straight A’s and B’s. I ended up graduating on the Dean’s List with an Associate’s Degree before transferring and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in 2018.
In 2017, I decided to combine my experiences as a combat Veteran with my talents as a musician. I wrote and recorded a powerful song called “Gunshots” to discuss what it’s like to have PTSD sound sensitivity as a combat Veteran. Teaming up with another Marine Corps combat Veteran named The Marine Rapper, we wrote, recorded, and released the song along with a music video.
“Gunshots” hit the ground running and got more traction than I ever imagined. Local news stations and media outlets like ABC, CBS, KCAL, KTLA, LA Times, the OC Register, and Spectrum 1 News started reaching out to feature my story. I was also featured on a national daytime talk television show. The music video now has over 137,000 views on YouTube.
After releasing “Gunshots” and realizing I wasn’t alone in my struggles, I decided to make it my goal to use my music and newly realized platform to inspire others. I began recording and releasing inspirational songs like “Know You’re Not Alone”, “Fight Back”, and “Failure”. Each of these songs has a specific meaning and purpose to inspire others to keep fighting back in life despite the struggles they may face. With these songs, I began building a loyal fanbase of Veterans and civilians who now use my music and my story as a source of motivation.
I also started getting booked to perform the National Anthem. Since this all started, I have had the honor of performing the National Anthem for teams such as the Lakers (2x), Dodgers, Rams, Kings, San Francisco Giants, Sparks, South Bay Lakers (2x), and more. I’ve performed the National Anthem nearly 100 times now for events both large and small nationwide.
In 2021 I released my debut album “Therapy Session”. (I called it “Therapy Session” because I use music as therapy along with others and I saw this album as a physical metaphor for that first therapy session with a new therapist) This album is a combination of the inspirational songs mentioned earlier and traditional R&B songs. I grew up listening to R&B and decided R&B was my genre when I first learned to sing so I also wanted to incorporate R&B love songs as a way of sticking to my R&B roots. The album was the culmination of all my efforts to overcome everything I had been through. It is also a form of expression for both myself and my listeners who might not be able to tell their stories. “Therapy Session” was me finally making my dream of becoming a professional R&B Singer/Songwriter come true. When I started my path to freedom from my mental illnesses, I made it a goal to get an album done. For me, finishing “Therapy Session” was my way of showing the world that a person with severe mental illness can still accomplish great things, become successful, and inspire others.
Since releasing “Therapy Session” I have been focused on building my brand, expanding my reach, performing live, giving speeches, and inspiring more people to fight back against their own struggles. I have since released another single entitled “Be You” which is meant to inspire people to be proud of who they are, no matter who they are. “Be You” was inspired by the fact that I had finally reached a point in my life where I was actually proud of who I am, what I’ve experienced, and what I’ve accomplished. I was done seeking validation and attention from others and focused on living as my true self. I was finally happy! I wanted to release a song to excite and inspire others to reach the same point and “Be You” is my way of doing that.
Currently, I am working on my 2nd studio album which will be called “Follow Up” (like the follow-up appointment with a Therapist after the initial therapy session). I plan to release it in 2023 along with new singles as well. Besides being a musician, I am also an Actor and a Photographer. As an Actor, I’ve been in feature films and other things such as “A Grunt’s Life” (Season 1 and 2) on Veteran Television. As a Photographer, I have my own small photography company called Essence Photography where I specialize in portraits and headshots. I have also now obtained four college degrees/certificates.
Overall, my goal is to inspire as many people as possible through my story and my music. I have had hundreds of fans reach out to me to tell me how I have inspired them, saved their lives, and touched their lives in ways I could have never imagined. I have two quotes from fans tattooed on my arms. These fans are Veterans who were suicidal but decided not to take their own lives after listening to my album. I’ve realized that my calling is to be an example not only for Veterans but for everyone that anyone can overcome their circumstances and mental illnesses to build a successful life for themselves.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For me, the road is been a journey of ups and downs along the way. Some days I am doing great and feeling great and other days I’m back and the bottom of life. What I’ve learned is that it’s more about how you handle the journey each day rather than how much you succeed. Living with severe mental illnesses or physical disabilities is a daily grind. It’s about learning to manage your symptoms and issues and live as “normal” as you can. You never truly “overcome” things like PTSD. You just learn to adapt. Some of my struggles have included my depression and anxiety acting up, physical disabilities I have also acting up, and struggling to keep my own motivation high. Luckily, I’ve had a lot of successes along with my struggles so the road has been balanced and oftentimes more positive than negative; especially after returning to college the first time after receiving the therapy which sent me in a positive direction. I am extremely grateful for every single opportunity and experience I’ve had since this journey began.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an R&B Singer/Songwriter. Vicariously mentored by greats such as Tank, Usher, Joe, Brandy, and more, I am mainly known for my vocal abilities and abilities to write inspirational music. My brand speaks volumes both musically and psychologically. I’m looking to change the face of R&B by fusing together those good old 90’s and early 2000’s R&B arrangements with today’s modern production. I grew up listening to 90’s and early 2000’s R&B and that style is very apparent in my music. It’s easy to feel nostalgic listening to my music if you grew up listening to R&B from generations past. What also makes me stand out is the fact that I’m a U.S. Marine Corps Iraq War combat Veteran who uses music for therapeutic reasons. I have been able to overcome homelessness along with many other issues through creating music to express myself. I’ve also been able to build a worldwide fan base who also uses music as therapy. Only 6.4% of the American population are Veterans so I’m honored to be able to bring more of a Veteran presence to the music industry and show the world that our nation’s Veterans can be successful in the creative arts too.
Any big plans?
Right now my focus is on my brand as a Recording Artist and getting my second album completed. I’d like to also expand my reach and try to inspire more people and grow my fan base. I’m not in it for money, fame, or validation at all. I’m in this to touch the lives of others. I’m also focused on personal goals such as getting myself in the best shape of my life, possibly looking into home ownership, and other things. Eventually, I’d like to one day be able to start an entertainment production company that focuses on music and film.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elliottmckenzie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliott_mckenzie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliottmckenzie10
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/elliottmckenzie
- SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/elliottmckenziemusic
