Very insightful and heartfelt. Loved learning more about him, and I felt for him deeply. Great writing style.

I'm glad that he shared this with everyone since I like to see examples of how people come to God. Not everyone is born on a doily, as my husband puts it. All the financial drama got a little tedious, but this was very real. However, I have to wonder why he went BACK to KoRn? They're not a very Godly band from what I know. Not by a long shot.

After I decided to consider Luck, Love, and Lemon Pie a DNF (did not finish) I moved on to reading With My Eyes Wide Open by Brian “Head” Welch. I’ve always been a big fan of KoRn and I remember when Head first made the announcement that he was leaving KoRn to focus on raising his daughter as a single dad. I knew that he’d devoted his life to following Jesus and religion played a major role in his new life. I also remember when he rejoined KoRn. This book shares his life as a single dad, his tense relationship with his daughter, and the struggles he faced between leaving KoRn and their reunion. I love KoRn and I love Brian “Head” Welch but, unfortunately, I did not love this book.

I read it start to finish in 2 days. Admittedly, I stuck with it because I was stunned by the terrible decisions Head was making. It had nothing to do with this being a book that was capturing my attention. As a Christian myself I understand following where you feel God is leading you. I just couldn’t believe that Head allowed religion to blind him to the con artists that continually manipulated him and drove him into bankruptcy. The entire time I was reading it I kept thinking that surely he couldn’t be that blind to what was happening. He was with KoRn for years, surely he knew the importance of contracts and the risk of shady business deals. Just…damn Head. Really?!?

He was well-intentioned with his daughter, Jennea, but I was stunned at poor decision after poor decision. He left KoRn to spend more time with her then rips her out of school, continues to move her around, gets her a dog just to give it away, and continues to make terrible decisions that drive his family into bankruptcy. Over and over again I found myself wanting to like the book but feeling annoyed and frustrated. I hate to say it, but it almost succeeded in making me less of a fan. Just…really Head? I mean, every single decision was horrible.

It also irritated me that he fell back on religion as the reason for everything. I get it. I share his faith but personal accountability goes a long way and God did grant us free will. Head struck me as one of those people that discovers faith and then uses it as an excuse to justify everything in his life – good and bad. It doesn’t work like that. You have free will. You’re responsible for your behavior and decisions, even the shitty ones. You can’t claim you’re under attack for your faith when things are bad and claim that God is blessing you when things are good and use religion as a way of avoiding taking responsibility for your own life.

As a last note – this book desperately needs a good editor. I feel like it could have been a million times better if an editor went through it and cleaned it up. I received an early copy of it through NetGalley and I know it’s not a final edition but damn. I mean…I just…I’m so disappointed in this. It could have and should have been fantastic but it fell very short of being anything better than fair.

I DON 'T KNOW WHY, AFTER TWO BOOKS, I STILL THINK THAT BRIAN WILL TALK ABOUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT NO, MAYBE IS PRECISELLY 'CAUSE, EXIST TWO BOOKS ABOUT IT, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO TALK!

With My Eyes Wide Open Miracles and Mistakes on My Way Back to KoRn by Brian "Head" Welch published by Thomas Nelson was amazing! So as always thank you to Netgalley Brian Welch and Thomas Nelson for my advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review. I am a very picky person when I choose my non fiction and this one was a true pleasure to read.
With My Eyes Wide Open is the biographical account by Brian "Head" Welch, guitarist for the popular metal band, KoRn. Welch describes his conversion to the Christian faith, his departure from KoRn, and the days of bitter pain which followed. I wasn't really a fan of KoRn until I read this. I finished reading this on a Thursday and I am writing my review on a Friday night because I needed a day to digest it. I think this real account of the struggles he has gone through make this book real and raw. There are moments that gave me chills there are moments that made me mad and the end made me sad it was over. I give Brian tons of credit for being so open and honest about the roller coaster that is life and the need for god makes this a must read.

I could not connect with the book. I marked it as did not finish.

5 out of 5 stars! I've never been a fan of KoRn, but the cover of With My Eyes Wide Open caught my attention. I'm always into hearing and reading about individuals who have been impacted by the life changing power of Jesus Christ though, so I wanted to read it. This book isn't a holier than thou spiritual book, but a story about a man with his struggles and failures. In the midst of all the chaos in his life during the past 10 years, Brian discovered a very real a personal peace and he wants to share that with others. God has done and will continue to do amazing things in Brian Welch, and in his daughter Jennea. I'm so glad he put his story onto paper. Thank you, Netgalley, for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

One I'm laughing because Goodreads is telling me that none of my friends have read this book...which is funny and not unexpected.

Anyways, it is an interesting story, very biographical more than religious for sure. With some tough subject matter, this was written very tastefully. While I don't agree with all the decisions, the author was very open about where looking back, he would see the mistakes as well. Very honest and open for sure. Thus, making me so undecided about how to rate this book. Somewhere between a 3 and 4.

While not a decision that anyone else could make, I think that the author is write that God does want to reach into the "metal" crowd and the author is perfectly poised to do so. If God has called him to this, then regardless of the wiseness of the decision, its on God and God does things His own way. Don't agree with all the author wrote, but again, this is his story, not mine. Towards the end, he talked more about his beliefs than in the beginning and even included a note from his daughter who is featured prominently. I love the introduction where the author very clearly stated that all that had happened "had been forgotten and forgiven" with the people with whom it occurred. What a beautiful start and a good way to start a book that includes real life that isn't always nice and neat.

To God be the glory, forever and ever.

I grew up surrounded by music.  At the time it was rock but as I got older rock turned more into heavy metal.  One of my favorite bands in high school was KoRn.  They are very much on the darker side but I think a lot of music is about a person's perception.  I also believe that music can reach so many people on so many different levels.  It's amazing.  Junior high/high school was a dark period in my life so it was fitting that my music matched my mood.

Brian Welch is the lead guitarist from KoRn.  After a friend invites Brian to church he gives his life to Jesus and his world is turned upside down.  He quits KoRn, his meth addiction, and that heavy rock lifestyle and focuses on Jesus and being a single dad to his young daughter Jennea.  With My Eyes Wide Open is Brian's life as a new Christian, starting a solo career, being a dad, and eventually his reuniting with Korn after nine years to reach people for Christ.

KoRn is not a satanic band, but I believe Brian had to separate himself from that lifestyle to get himself straight and to become stronger in his faith.  Becoming a Christian is not easy as many people think and Brian saw that first hand.  He went through many up's and down's and compares his journey to Joseph, the man that was sold into slavery by his brothers but eventually became one of the greatest men in Egypt in the book of Genesis.

I could completely relate to all the trails that Brian endured.  The hardest part for me to read was about him finding out about his teenage daughter cutting herself.  During a dark time in my life I too was a cutter and it all hit so close to home.  But that's another story for another day.  Being the amazing dad that Brian is he got his daughter help and now they are both doing great. 

Now Brian, with his bandmate Fieldy talk and pray with people at their concerts.  It's amazing!  God truly does "cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

To hear Brian's story is amazing.  He is so real and pure and I admire his transparency. I definitely recommend.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Brian “Head” Welch was a founding member of the highly successful metal band KoRn back in 1993, but in 2005 he became a Christian, left the band, kicked his alcohol and drug addictions, and committed to being a better father to his young daughter. After swearing multiple times over the years never to return, With My Eyes Wide Open: Miracles & Mistakes On My Way Back to KoRn is the raw, tear-jerking story of a new Christian making poor decisions, going through the ups and downs of learning what it means to really follow God, experiencing tremendous pain with a depressed and self-abusive daughter, and eventually following the Spirit to family restoration and redemption, including the Spirit’s leading in restoration of his musical family. Welch now uses his influence and opportunities as a touring metal musician to bring others to Christ for God’s glory.

It may be difficult for some to accept Welch’s position, but a thorough reading of the book of Acts in the Bible shows us that the Spirit doesn’t work the same way for everyone and certainly doesn’t lead everyone down the same paths to God’s glory. We’re all in different places in life with different skills and talents, and God pulls and prods us along where he wants us to serve him. After many seeming coincidences, much prayer, and the spiritual discernment of several trusted people, Welch gave in to God’s call to return to KoRn…and it’s been wonderful.

If I had not been reading the book in public, I would have let the tears run at least four times. There’s so much pain, so many horrible decisions, and yet, God is good and draws Welch and his daughter in even closer. I would again caution (especially young) readers that the Spirit doesn’t necessarily follow any of our observable patterns, so take Welch’s final letter at the end with a grain of salt—don’t be discouraged if your life doesn’t turn out with same kinds of amazing blessings, as God doesn’t make any of those promises about this life. However, I think this would be a great read for metal heads—or anyone!