STILLWATER, Okla. — As it is for many musicians, past experiences can be the basis for their song writing. For Jake Moffat, it not only serves as part of his songwriting, but his rise back to a successful career.

Moffat began his venture into music during his elementary school years.

“I’ve always been into music,” said Moffat. “...I started taking piano lessons when I was like in 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade through there and that kind of fizzled out. And it was probably sixth grade when I realized I wanted to play guitar.”

Moffat, 28, said he’s always been a writer. It comes naturally to him and he enjoys it.

He began to perform as a solo artist and at age 18 he got involved with Remede, a Stillwater band. Through former bandmate Shawn Howard the group began playing at The Copper Penny and other venues on Stillwater’s famed Strip. Moffat said that after four weeks of playing, the band had gotten shows in Dallas.

“And I think it moved along faster than what we were ready for at the time, so that kind of fizzled out,” said Moffat.

After Remede, he returned to a solo career and more shows.

“Probably, (2003) was my last good year and then I had some trials and tribulations in my personal life...,” said Moffat.

Moffat had to face a meth addiction he had developed over a decade. Over the past eleven months, he has worked to become sober.

“Actually, this is my...the eleventh of this month is my eleventh month of being sober after about a 12 year meth stint, so that’s been hard,” said Moffat.

He said that partying in a band didn’t make it easier for him and he admits that he may have been the reason Remede didn’t work out. But, he’s cleaned up and is working toward his new band - the Jake Moffat Band. After help from an acquaintance at Flatland Studios, he began to form his new group consisting of Don Fahrny, guitar, Jake Brown, bass, and Luke Tallon, drums.

“It all just came together,” said Moffat.

He said he feels like he’s completely back on the right track, but his experiences have influenced his music “a lot”.

“A part of the appeal to the people that listen to the music, for them, especially with live performances, just acoustic, is that there’s not doubt that what I sing comes from the heart,” said Moffat.

The band has been together for six months and is already working on an album.

“We’ve been working on it a little bit,” said Moffat. “I mean, it’s going to be probably a process. Hopefully, August...hopefully by Fall, we’ll work something out and (be) ready to go.”

In the end, Moffat said he’s not out for stardom or a sold out stadium show.

“I would say, for me, at this point in my life, like at one time it was all about having fun and being that ‘rock star’, but for me now, I feel like just in the eleven months I have under my belt and the people I know that are still struggling that come out and listen and get into the CDs, I feel like I can reach people and maybe show people that there is hope that you don’t have to fall into the trap and stay there forever,” said Moffat. “That’s kind of where I’m at now. That’s my whole goal.”

For more information on the Jake Moffat Band, search “Jake Moffat Band” on Facebook or visit www.jakemoffat.com.