Brandon Mendenhall

Brandon Mendenhall was born in 1983 with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disorder of movement and posture caused by abnormal development. Doctors did not hold out much hope that he would even walk, let alone live a productive life. With limited mobility on his left side and zero mobility in his left hand, the odds were stacked against him from birth. Despite these physical challenges and the setbacks that came with them, Brandon was always determined to succeed.

Brandon found solace in the music of bands such as Korn and Pantera as a teenager. That passion for music sparked something in his soul and a dream began to form. A dream that was thought to be impossible.

Brandon wanted to learn to play guitar and to join a band. Brandon
recalls: "My grandfather told me: 'You'll never be a guitarist. Don't even try.' And that crushed me. Those words lit a fire in me. I was determined that I could do this."

Teaching himself to play guitar rehabilitated his left hand with no surgical intervention. Mendenhall worked hard finding solutions to his physical limitations and developed a unique playing style that became his signature. "Once I was able to get a guitar in my hands, it changed my life" confided Brandon.

When Brandon created The Mendenhall Experiment in 2008, he designed it as a vehicle to spread disability awareness and to change the way people view those with disabilities. Through his personal story and the message of his music, Brandon is working towards making an impact on our generation on an international level. Brandon explains: "If you asked me why I want to be a Rock Star... it's not about the fame or money... I have a unique opportunity to inspire people and kids with disabilities with my playing, my music and my story! I truly believe that's what I was put on this earth to do".