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Wes’ love of writing songs as a kid grew into a hectic, alcohol-infused career in the music business. Whether it was writing, performing, or producing, daily drinking was just part of the gig. For a while, alcohol was unobtrusive and often served his creative endeavors. However, by the time alcohol turned on him, its debilitating effects on his body, psyche, and spirit had pushed him to the brink. Short periods of abstinence, but without recovery (“so-dry-ety” Wes calls it), became miserable intervals in his alcohol addiction. With all hope seemingly lost, Wes found himself staring down the barrel of a cocked Derringer looking for a way out. But a moment of clarity moved his finger off the trigger and finally gave him the desperate desire to get help. With the aid of his wife and the man who later become his sponsor, he found AA and sincerely embraced its new way of life.
Wes’ story of recovery will resonate deeply with listeners, as will his inspiring way of working the Program. His deep dive into a sponsor-driven and spiritually-based approach for working all 12 steps on a daily basis, drew him to the very center of the Program. From there, he has imparted the collective wisdom of AA to the men he sponsors and other AA members he helps. For anyone who is new to sobriety or is struggling to stay sober, Wes’ hard-earned experience provides an extraordinary blueprint for working the Program with maximum results. I think you’ll find Wes’ story to be both captivating and enlightening. It’s as easy to listen to as a well-written song and as memorable as a melody from a humble heart.
I first met Wes on a California Zoom meeting in early 2020. Sober for 30 years, he is one of those members of the fellowship whom I feel like I’ve known forever. Perhaps it’s because of our similarities growing up in physically and verbally abusive families. Or maybe it’s the language of the heart we share on the road of happy destiny. Whatever it is, it’s a fascinating tale of sobriety with which I identify. So, I invite you to relax for the next hour or so and enjoy this episode of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA brother, Wes H.
If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio.
I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, i-Tunes, or Amazon.
[This is an encore of Episode 56, originally released December 10, 2021].
[Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]