Today we’d like to introduce you to Damien Gunn.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Yeah, for sure. Everything for me starts with music. Since I was a little kid, I’ve had this fire in me to be a rock star. I’d sit on the porch of my home in the trailer court and envision me as this rockstar performer playing to thousands of people That dream turned into Damien Gunn Music — and it’s been my heartbeat ever since.
Damien Gunn Music isn’t just a band — it’s a statement. It’s country-rock with attitude, built on real stories, grit, and heart. We’ve played everywhere from small-town bars to big stages, and every time I step up there, I remember that kid who just wanted to live loud and make people feel something real.
The band has always been about more than just songs. It’s about connection, community, and giving back. That’s where projects like Operation Fill the Boot came in — helping raise funds and awareness for combat veterans, first responders, and the people who protect us every day,. That work means a lot to me. It keeps me grounded and reminds me what all this is really for.
And now, we’ve built something even bigger around that idea — PINK = POWER.
It started as a color scheme, but it became a movement. We wrote a manifesto that’s all about building strength through mind, body, and spirit. We’re going to start using our shows, our music, and our platform to spread that message — to remind people that power isn’t about ego or aggression; it’s about owning who you are, lifting others up, and turning pain into purpose. FINDING WHERE THE POWER COMES FROM…INSIDE OF YOU!
When I look out at a crowd and see people vibing to our music, I want to see them wearing pink, smiling, and standing tall — that’s when I know this is working. Music brought me to this point, but the mission keeps me here.
Now, outside of the band, there’s the rest of my world — the other other side of my life. I’ve spent years studying and teaching martial arts — from Tae Kwon Do and Kenpo to BJJ, Escrima, Catch Wrestling, Boxing, and Kickboxing. I even trained in the Hawaiian fighting system Kekahe Mea Hele, where I became the Chief Instructor under my mentor and master, Stevan Lor. That discipline shaped how I lead, perform, and live.
I also built businesses and invested in apartments, rentals, and property — things that give me the freedom to keep creating and serving others. And one of the projects I’m most proud of that I built is Art Nest Retreat — a creative space for artists, families, and groups to come together, reset, and make something meaningful.
But at the core of it all — whether it’s music, business, martial arts, or the retreat — it all comes back to Damien Gunn Music and what it stands for: passion, purpose, and giving back.
So yeah — that’s my story.
A kid from the trailer court who wanted to be a rock star, who built a band that became a mission, and who’s still chasing that same dream… only now it’s louder, bolder, and built to lift others up along the way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road? LOL — not even close. But here’s the truth — the commitment I made to myself came from a real, honest place. Through every experience, I’ve developed a knack for managing crisis and pushing forward no matter what.
Right after high school, I headed out to Los Angeles to chase music. I joined a band, and before long, I found myself homeless and lost on the streets of L.A. That was just the start. I bounced between being a studio musician and trying to get an education — never really sure if I was smart enough to pull it off. But I did. I used every failure and letdown as fuel to prove, not just to the world but to myself, that I had what it takes — not just to survive, but to thrive.
Getting into real estate wasn’t part of my plan — I have my wife, Tina, to thank for that. She saw something in me and steered me toward it. Of course, even that came with its own battles — business challenges, partnerships gone wrong, and moments that could’ve broken us. But we fought through. That same grit and perseverance that carried me through everything else became the reason we won.
Pressure has a way of creating power. And I’ve learned that power isn’t about never falling — it’s about getting up every time you do. I was born to fight. I was destined to win.
That same spirit is behind Operation: Fill the Boot, which I started with my best friend, Ben “Squirrel” Kelly (U.S. Navy). It was inspired by my old martial arts brother, Melvin Green (U.S. Army), a combat veteran who took his own life after returning home. Losing him broke me — and when Squirrel did the same in 2017, it shattered me again. But I chose to stand up, write music that heals, and keep pushing.
That’s where PINK = POWER comes in. It’s more than a campaign — it’s a movement. It’s about finding strength in mind, body, and spirit. It’s about using music, art, and community to remind people that they have the power to rise again — no matter how rough the road gets.
So, if someone ever tells you they’ve had a smooth road… I’d say you’ve just found a unicorn. LOL.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
#1 – DAMIEN GUNN Country-Rock Artist | Kansas City, MO
I’m the lead writer, producer, bassist, and singer for the Damien Gunn Band — a country-rock band born out of Kansas City grit and heart.
As of now, my lineup is:
Lisa McKenzie – Drums & Manager (and best friend)
Aidan Murrow – Guitar
I write music that’s raw, real, and unapologetically honest. Every lyric comes straight from the heart — sometimes rough around the edges, but always true. The songs tell my story, my struggles, my faith, and my fire.
I’ve become known not just for the music, but for the charity work that walks beside it. From Operation: Fill the Boot to my latest initiative, PINK = POWER, giving back is part of my purpose.
I’ve written a lot about my life — the wins, the losses, the lessons — and I’m proud of it all. But this band?
This band is my reason.
How do you define success?
Defining success is tricky — it’s different for everyone. I don’t think of it as something that has one clean definition. For me, it’s more of a question: What makes success? I’ve learned it takes a few things to build a life that means something:
PASSION – You’ve got to love what you do, even when no one’s watching.
EXPERIENCE – The good, the bad, and everything in between — it all teaches you something.
DEDICATION – Show up every day. No excuses.
THE PURSUIT OF LEARNING – Never think you’ve got it all figured out. Growth is the goal.
NEVER GIVING UP – Quitting’s easy. Fighting through is where the gold is.
FACING FEARS – Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s walking through it anyway.
EMBRACING FAILURES TO FIND SUCCESS – Every setback carries a lesson if you’re willing to look for it.
LOVING THOSE THAT LOVE YOU (LOYALTY TO SELF) – Stay true to the people who stand by you.
LEAVING THOSE THAT HURT YOU (PROTECTING YOURSELF) – Know when to walk away and protect your peace.
Success, to me, isn’t a destination — it’s a collection of choices, scars, and lessons that all point toward becoming who you’re meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.DAMIENGUNNMUSIC.COM
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/damiengunnmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/damiengunnmusic
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/damiengunnmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0lldTL8WX3_nAPTTfbtuw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2L4JzPYjlTAEQBWlXN5MW3?si=d0SonbHLRWm6M2vPQY2aIg
