OT: I am lucky to be able to play music

[EscapeRocks]

Just wanted to share this. It's an email my drummer sent out to the rest of us this morning. He completely sums up how I feel about the ability to play music, and especially how lucky I am to have assembled and be a part of my current gig for the last 8 years. He is a high school music teacher, and also a part time music professor at a local college.

 

Getting slightly serious for a moment: Music did save my life several years ago when I went thought a divorce and some other events that had me at my lowest. If it weren't for my band mates, I am not sure I would have survived that period in my life.

I do consider myself a semi-pro musician in that I get paid nicely for my gigs. However, I know where I stack up against seasoned pros who do this for their entire living.

 

Anyway, here is the letter my drummer sent us this morning, that truly sums up my feelings about being able to do what I do with music. I highlighted at the end his most salient point.

 

ps. hopefully no one is offended if they are not into Christmas, etc., as he makes reference.

 

Today, I have reassurance on how blessed I am. Yesterday, because this is finals week, I was able to leave mid-day and attend my 4 year old sons pre-school Christmas party. You dads know this is very cool.

 

Wed was the PHS band final. Unlike core classes of academe, we were able to take the full two hour block and rehearse (no written exam) the PHS indoor drum line. BTW, this is PHS first time to ever have an indoor line and I'm stoked to be a key player in making this happen.

 

Currently, I'm having breakfast at a great little "hole in the wall" called The Cotton Gin, in Prosper. There is a couple next to me having a business meeting, discussing sales tactics, how much of an asshole "Bob" is and email protocol. I know we are not independently wealthy and have to earn a living doing something, but I would rather have a self inflicted paper cut on my scrotum than to to be a "cube rat" or be forced to have the most non-stimulating conversation as the couple next to me. Funny thing is, I wanted to say, "Im gonna go talk to Bob", but they wouldn't get the joke.

 

For my musician brothers that may have to tolerate this M-F, I promise I will do my part to make every performance seem like Madison Square Garden, for playing may be your only outlet.

 

Regardless of what we do for a living, always appreciate your gig. Like Don Henley said, "The wolf is always at the door", meaning someone is always trying to take your wife, gig, job, position, etc.

 

God Bless you guys this holiday season and beyond. Other than my family, you ARE the reason I breath music and hope something creative exhales with each breath.

 

 

[richforman]

I'm always happy and grateful to be able to be a gigging musician, it adds so much to my life, and to have a good dependable, if cubicle-tied, day job too. That makes the music aspect a lot less stressful than it might otherwise be if I was depending on it to pay all my bills.

[Bucktunes]

Nothing at all "offensive" about any of that. I agree we should always be grateful for the ability to make music, and for the opportunities to put food on the table by doing it.

 

Merry Christmas and happy gigging!

[ProfD]

Music is a beautiful thing especially if you have any ability to play it.

 

I truly believe music has the power to heal individuals and the world as a whole.

 

We just haven't gotten around to using music in that manner yet. I remain eternally optimistic that it will happen one day.

 

In the meantime, I encourage all of my fellow musos to continue making a joyful noise. It is a gift.

[Mickey Keys]

I'm always happy and grateful to be able to be a gigging musician, it adds so much to my life, and to have a good dependable, if cubicle-tied, day job too. That makes the music aspect a lot less stressful than it might otherwise be if I was depending on it to pay all my bills.

 

Suits me down to a "T". Nicely said, Rich.

[EscapeRocks]

All great replies, thank you.

One thing I failed to mention which was the gist of my initial post. The attitude expressed in my drummer's note is shared by all of us in the band. It's what makes us successful and what makes it fun and not so much a job, although we work very hard at it.

Everyone want the other to shine. There's no one-upsmanship, no fighting over volume, etc..

 

Okay enough sappiness for one day.... I'm getting diabetes...

[wjwilcox]

Well said, everybody. Playing music for people is the best thing in the world to do.

 

Good comments about your bandmates and their attitude's, David. My wife and I recently started at a new church and I've gotten involved with the worship band. In my interview with the worship leader I mentioned that my former church's band had a couple of large egos to tiptoe around and his reaction was, "I don't put up with that crap in my band." Fortunately, he doesn't have to, as everyone so far is great to work with. I like it here.

[Outkaster]

It is great but I wish it was more respected.

[jimkost2002]

My heartfelt thanks to you for starting this thread, EscapeRocks!

Your drummer is my new hero!

With the year closing out, Its time for reflection and gratitude--not just for following our bliss but for life itself.

Thank you, again!

Sincerely,

Jim

[JeffLearman]

Blah blah blah, you guys are just envious and wish you could spend 40+ hours a week in a little cubicle staring at a screen.

 

Seriously, whenever I drive by a road worker in freezing cold or blasting heat, by the side of a road working a shovel or whatever, I say to myself "I couldn't live like that!" I think the same thing when I ponder folks like my son, erstwhile chef and now restaurant/bar manager, who works weekends when everyone else is partying, or full-time pro musos who do the same only worse (working holidays, too).

 

But I'm sure that most of them, if they passed by my cube and peered in to see the green glow on my face, would say the same thing. As they say, it takes all kinds, and thank goodness for that.

 

Meanwhile, we can ALL play music, from the ditch digger to the zillionaire CEO, and when we do, what matters most is the heart we bring (far more than the skill level, although that definitely matters!)

 

I'm not lucky to play music. I'm thankful that all my life I've had the jones to play music, so that slogging at it for hours and hours through years and years, despite my ham-fisted fingers and thick skull, I've managed to achieve enough success that people don't cringe when I play!