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Photo By State Journal/Hilly SchifferDamon Pulliam, 15, practices guitar in his bedroom. “I don’t control the music,” Damon said. “The music controls me.”

Photo By State Journal/Hilly SchifferDamon Pulliam, 15, plays the piano at his home. He’s a big fan of any music, he says, aside from rap. “It’s really fun to listen to and play new music,” he said. “It is really challenging, and I like pushing myself.”

When Damon Pulliam starts playing - whether it’s bass, piano, electric or acoustic guitar - the music takes over.

“I don’t control the music,” Damon says. “The music controls me.”

At 15, he’s devoted to becoming an accomplished musician.

He started liking music as a child, after watching his father, Daniel, perform in a rock band.

About four years ago, when Daniel wanted to sell his bass, Damon convinced him to pass the instrument down. After a couple of years on bass, Damon picked up a guitar, then joined his school’s chorus. About a year ago, he added piano to his repertoire.

“He’s always been into music,” Daniel said. “He’s self-driven. He’s got more get-up and go than I’ve ever had.”

Darin Mitchell, Damon’s piano teacher, said the teen has incredible musical talent – he’s like a sponge able to master in a few months what takes some four or five years.

“He’s exceptional. He’s made tremendous progress,” Darin said. “I’ve never seen anybody catch on as quickly as he does.”

“It comes fast and easy,” Damon said. “I would sit down and learn big segments at a time (on piano). I set goals for myself and meet them.”

Damon said he learned to read music within the past nine months after beginning chorus at Western Hills High School. He plays the piano routinely, researches guitar chords online and stays immersed in music in his spare time - which he estimates is eight to 12 hours each day.

“Any free time I have, I’m usually playing,” he said. “I’m always thinking about music.”

He hasn’t had many public performances - a talent show in the eighth grade, WHHS’ choir, those who stop in the choir room to listen to him practice piano each morning before classes begin – but that could change next summer.

Damon was nominated and selected to serve as a Kentucky ambassador in Europe singing in a youth choir in seven nations in June 2010. The program is sponsored by the University of Louisville’s school of music.

His family is hosting a fundraiser featuring local bands in September to help raise the $6,000 for the trip.

“I think it would be a good opportunity for him,” Mandy, Damon’s mother, said.

“That would be really neat,” Damon said of the trip.

While he prepares for the possibility of traveling across the ocean to perform, he said he keeps focused on how music is both interesting and enjoyable.

“It’s a way of emotional expression.”

He plays for himself, his friends and family - including two younger sisters and a younger brother.

“It’s fun to play for others because it gives you a sense of satisfaction,” he said.

He said he’s content to play solo or in an ensemble.

“I love playing with other people.”

Damon lists his dad as one of his biggest musical influences - the father-son pair play guitar and bass together in Damon’s bedroom. He also listens to Beethoven, Chopin, rock and metal such as Judas Priest.

“I’m a big fan of any kind of music, except rap,” he said.

He spends time in his bedroom in front of his computer desk with his leg propped up strumming quickly along with background notes from his computer while slightly bobbing his head.

“It’s really fun to listen to and play new music,” he said. “It is really challenging and I like pushing myself.”

Damon - whose family home has three pianos and an abundance of guitars – said if he hears a song on the radio or in a movie, he tries to replay the tune.

Mandy said her son is modest about his gift.

“He’s very humble,” she said. “He’s not the type to brag.”

Those who have witnessed his talent - his family and instructors - say he has plenty of reason to be proud.

“He has a very bright future,” Darin said. “He could have a career as a concert pianist.”

Damon said he hasn’t mapped out his future.

“I haven’t decided what career I want yet, but it will have to do with music,” he said. “It wouldn’t be a fulfilling career if it didn’t involve music.”

“Frankfort Faces” is a series that highlights people from within the Frankfort and Franklin County community. Each feature follows one of the city’s most unique personalities and includes a story, photos and video, which can be found by clicking the TV icon attached to the story online at state-journal.com.