Harlem and The Bronx (the making of Charlie Tee) #6

In this post I'm going to tell you about a phrase that my Mother used to say to me throughout my life, and why it's still relevant to me today.

"Every cloud has a silver lining..."
If I heard that one hundred times, I heard it once. My Mother was always fond of telling my Sister and I that because she wanted us to know that when you least expect it a dark cloud can become bright and fluffy, and full of life giving light.
Every now and again in my quest to be in the music industry full time, I get sidetracked by my negative emotions. In reality I know that the Carpenter Ants are doing just fine, we play alot through the year, and we've existed for over 20 years ( the fellas have been together for that long; I've been with them going on 17 years...), but I just dream so big sometimes that it gets the better of me.
In truth, although I would give almost anything to be on a greater stage, it's really unrealistic. By this I mean that at least 2 of my bandmates, although very talented, have day jobs in which they've served for going on 28, and 29 years respectively. So asking them to up and leave without gaining their pensions would absolutely not be fair of me. It's like asking them to walk out on a building ledge and just dangle off the side.
If I needed to be rescued that might be one thing, some consideration might be in order, but this is asking too much...even for me.
They have families and significant others that they must attend to, and so do I for that matter. So I sit to myself and muse about where I'd be if I were younger and single
Now here's where that phrase comes roaring into my head and into my life: with the exeption of me being really sick over the course of the Summer, we've played more than most bands that I know of, here and in New York.
While I gripe about what could be, I have to realize what is...this music may be a young person's game but I'm in it as well, I've gained some notariety, I have 4 CD's on the market, and more than anything, I have 3 of the best friends that I've ever had...all of this without a lawyer too.
I thank Allah (God) everyday for Michael, Ted and Jupiter, and our music, and the patience that they've taught me.
See..., now I'm looking up and the sky is beautiful...and the sky's the limit.
The black has turned to silver.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Patron's Etiquette

Back in August of 2006, I wrote a piece called "Musician's Etiquette." It mainly talked about the way that musicians should treat other musicians when they're on stage performing.
This is the mirror to that post, in that now I'm talking about the folks who come to listen to music.
Let me say at the onset that I have had my days of falling down in inebriation, I've had my days of being boisterous, I've even had those days when I should probably have kept my mouth shut.But never, never have I ever gone to a gig, mine or anyone else's and been so disruptive that I've been asked to leave.
Here now is the patron's etiquette...
Let's start by understanding what it takes for musicians to do a show.
Most musicians not in the music industry have day jobs. They labor through the day to pay bills, have health insurance, and to simply put food on a table.
The pursuit of music may be a passion. For many of us, it's what we live for. None the less, we get off at 5pm (mostly), grab a bite to eat, then out the door we go to chase that passion.
Some of us first rehearse, then hit the stage, and do our level best to help you forget the day that you've had, and let's face it many of you have had a rough day at best.
Now the musician's are poised to entertain, and from out of nowhere comes some loud (make that screeching...) voice hollering "keep your day job," "you suck," or any number of other insults.
Now imagine trying to do a show with that in your ear...I'm not talking about just being heckled here. A fair amount of heckling is necessary, it does believe it or not, help musicians to grow. They begin to learn audiences, and how to treat them.
I'm talking about people who get so wrapped up in making you look bad that it makes everyone uncomfortable.
People, it's time that you realize that most musicians do want your money, but not at the expense of losing the other potential dollar. What do I mean by that? Some patrons get so frightened by the disruptive people that even if they thoroughly enjoyed the music, they quite frankly won't return.
So who loses out here? EVERYONE. The musician loses because they've now lost a valuble asset, an audience. The audience loses because they get stuck at home only being able to listen to recorded music. That trade off isn't necessarily a good one.

The point here is that people need to realize that alot goes into creating a vibe that helps you to feel good. Music is one of the best ways to make that come about.
So don't let your horrible day get the better of everyone, use the music to help heal the bad part of your day.
Look at it this way, if you don't go to your office and scream at your boss to play Freebird, then it's a safe bet to know that your local musicians don't need that headache either.
Just some patron's etiquette, but the bottom line is, just go and enjoy.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Home Again

Well, I've finally made it back to my computer, my blog , my music, and to you.
First off before I begin, I have to seriously thank all of you who e-mailed, or called during my time away; and that is virtually hundreds of you.
I got so many forms of expression of well wishes that it would take another blog to say thank you alone.
With that aside, let this post be the beginning of my thank you's .
Just in case you had no idea what was going on during my time away, let me refresh your memory.
Back in July, my kidneys began to fail, and my body began to fail with it. To say the least, it was mortifying to me and to my family. My music suffered, my work suffered, and I suffered. During that time though I got back in touch with me, and although I missed alot of gigs, I felt it was necessary so I put everything on hold.
We all know that Allah (God) perfoms miracles, and I found mine, it was in the form of my medical team, my wife, my children, and my family, my family of friends.
I'm not all the way out the woods just yet, but I'm getting there...and I will get there.
I got an interesting letter from a fan of this blog. They asked if I were still interested in telling my story about journeying in to the music industry? My answer: HELL YES!!!
You have to remember that in order to tell one's story, you need to have all of your thoughts aligned, your ducks in a row as it were.
My thoughts are always at the ready to share, but I just had to feel better first, so on that note I'll say that I'm home again, just look for me.

This post is dedicated to everyone who cared enough about me to be concerned ( you know who you are).
Even when you're home again, Support Live music today tomorrow and always.