Guitarist of rock band Train returns to alma mater, tells students to live dreams

MORRIS – The last time Train guitarist Jimmy Stafford was in the Morris Community High School gymnasium, he sat where honors students sat Wednesday night.

Stafford returned to Morris High School as a keynote speaker for the school’s 32nd annual Honors Recognition Night Program, recognizing 185 students spread across the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 classes.

“Thanks for inviting me to your party,” Stafford said.

Stafford is a 1982 graduate of Morris High School and a founding member, lead guitarist and vocalist of three-time Grammy Award-winning rock band Train.

Having not been back in Morris High School since his own graduation, Stafford joked it must’ve been a clerical error that placed him in one of those seats on honors night.

“Other people who sat with me are lawyers and doctors,” Stafford said. “But I get to entertain people across the world, which was my dream.”

He didn’t write a speech, because he’s used to Train lead singer Patrick Monahan doing the talking.

Stafford decided he was just going to wing it.

“This has allowed me to reminisce over the last couple weeks,” Stafford said “I grew up south of town. My parents are still in the same house, although they converted my room to an office as soon as I left.”

Stafford thought back to his many firsts in Morris, such as his first steps, first guitar, and first real show in the school cafeteria.

“I rehearsed in my parents’ basement every day,” he said. “That’s why they can’t hear that well.”

Stafford moved to California in 1983 and graduated from the Musicians Institute of Technology.

“The street I lived on in Hollywood, Sycamore Avenue, had bands like the Guns N’ Roses and Poison hanging out there,” Stafford said.

He performed with a variety of bands, including The Apostles, until Train was formed in 1994.

Joining The Apostles was the foundation of Train, except for the lead singer, Stafford said. After an earthquake, the band members decided to move to San Francisco and formed Train with Monahan.

“I just always had this feeling it would work,” Stafford said to the crowd.

Even after a failed record deal-seeking trip to New York, the group didn’t quit. They each came up with $5,000 to start recording their own record. Stafford’s share was from his parents.

“My parents were my biggest supporters,” Stafford said. “They still come to all our shows in the area. I appreciate that very much.”

The band started selling its single “Meet Virginia,” and Columbia Records, who turned them down in New York the first time, signed the band.

Taking it back to the present, Stafford said Train is embarking on tour next week, and will be in Tinley Park July 3.

“You guys should all get lawn seats,” Stafford said. “Let me know on Twitter if you have a big group and I’ll come out prior to the show and say hi.”

Stafford got the chance to live his dream, and encouraged students to live theirs.

“In a few years, I’m going to hear stories about what you all do with your dreams,” Stafford told the students. “Go Redskins.”

A senior who wants to be a psychiatrist, Kelsey Hider, said Stafford was the most fun speaker in the four honors nights she’s been a part of.

“The thing I took away from it is dreams are real, and they come true,” Hider said.

Before Stafford spoke, Superintendent Pat Halloran congratulated the students on their hard work.

“This is an evening to enjoy the fruits of your labor,” Halloran said to the students. “We pause to recognize your achievements in the classroom but we know that you give so much more to our school and community, it would be impossible to measure.”

Stafford was accompanied by his wife, Lindsay, their daughter Emma, and his parents Judy and Larry, sister Dana and her family.

While at the school, Stafford signed two acoustic guitars made in Mark Smith's production class.

Each student received an autographed picture from Stafford, and each class took a group photo with him after the ceremony.