Taking a little break today...
I wanted to tell you though, that in the next few weeks please expect to see a few changes here in my blogging world, as I am about to make a few subtle, but necessary changes to the look and feel of both my blogs (Standing In The Shadows Of Music and Standing In The Shadows of Music Too)
The content will of course remain the same but the look and feel may be slightly different.
Some of the reasons why I'm making these changes are designed to put me in better touch with you. I think that by adding pictures and sound to this would enhance some of the things that I've been talking about as a blogger.
Music is very important to me as well as the things that I want to convey to me readers (and there are alot of you now....).I sincerely hope that in the weeks to come that you will still follow me along my journey, and that I'll continue to try an inspire you to achieve your own goals.
I'm gonna run for now, but stop back often and by all means say hello.
Remember...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
"Oh! What A Beautiful Day..."
Here's the scene...
It's been a pretty brutal winter, with snow, ice, power outtages, stuck in the house with nothing to do but watch endless television ( "57 channels and nothing on..." thanks to Bruce Springsteen for that line.).
This Sunday was just different. It was a sunny day, yes the actual sun folks; not the TV version, it was warm out, and people were smiling uncontrollably, even the kids were orderly.
That night after a great Mountain Stage show, the Empty Glass held their usual post MS jam hosted by yours truly, the Carpenter Ants. Now keep in mind 2 things here: I haven't played with the band in almost four months where I've been so ill last year, and the Glass hasn't had too much of a crowd of late (it's the ecomomy folks...).
So I made my semi return to the stage and when the band finally kicked in to a packed house everybody, and I mean everybody got in the spirit. I haven't seen this much dancing since the disco era. It was hot, it was sweaty, and eveyone lost their winter inhibitions, and sundanced, moonwalked and grooved the night away.
My bandmates were on fire. My boys played like their very lives depended on it, and I felt better than I had in ages.
Not only did we get in the zone, but we changed the zip code to 25301-GROOVIN.
I watched from the stage as people just had a great night, laughing and joking and digging each other.
To me that is the true power of music, it brings out the best spirit in people. It was really cool to watch even those who weren't dancing, just standing or sitting there enjoying the evening. One lady in particular was especially moving to me. She was standing at the front near the stage against a speaker deck and she was swaying back and forth and having what seemed like the time of her life. She, as well as Friends of Mountain Stage photog Chris Morris were clicking away with their cameras. It felt like a rock concert event.
I always get a big charge out of playing for my hometown crowd, and even though I'm in the band part of that experience, I feel in the same way that everyone else did that night, WOWWED !!!
At the end of our performance I was pretty tired so I packed up and headed for home.
I want to say that I really miss everybody, I miss connecting with you and helping you to have a great musical experience, but hopefully soon, I'll return and continue to try and show you just how much playing for you means to me.
All in all the only thing that I can say that brings us to a close here is "oh what a beautiful mornin' (or evening, as it were...) oh, what a beautiful day."
I look forward to many more. Take care everybody, have a great week.
PS. If you'd like to see some perspective on the night go to: www.myspace.com/mountainstage to check out Chris' photo works
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
It's been a pretty brutal winter, with snow, ice, power outtages, stuck in the house with nothing to do but watch endless television ( "57 channels and nothing on..." thanks to Bruce Springsteen for that line.).
This Sunday was just different. It was a sunny day, yes the actual sun folks; not the TV version, it was warm out, and people were smiling uncontrollably, even the kids were orderly.
That night after a great Mountain Stage show, the Empty Glass held their usual post MS jam hosted by yours truly, the Carpenter Ants. Now keep in mind 2 things here: I haven't played with the band in almost four months where I've been so ill last year, and the Glass hasn't had too much of a crowd of late (it's the ecomomy folks...).
So I made my semi return to the stage and when the band finally kicked in to a packed house everybody, and I mean everybody got in the spirit. I haven't seen this much dancing since the disco era. It was hot, it was sweaty, and eveyone lost their winter inhibitions, and sundanced, moonwalked and grooved the night away.
My bandmates were on fire. My boys played like their very lives depended on it, and I felt better than I had in ages.
Not only did we get in the zone, but we changed the zip code to 25301-GROOVIN.
I watched from the stage as people just had a great night, laughing and joking and digging each other.
To me that is the true power of music, it brings out the best spirit in people. It was really cool to watch even those who weren't dancing, just standing or sitting there enjoying the evening. One lady in particular was especially moving to me. She was standing at the front near the stage against a speaker deck and she was swaying back and forth and having what seemed like the time of her life. She, as well as Friends of Mountain Stage photog Chris Morris were clicking away with their cameras. It felt like a rock concert event.
I always get a big charge out of playing for my hometown crowd, and even though I'm in the band part of that experience, I feel in the same way that everyone else did that night, WOWWED !!!
At the end of our performance I was pretty tired so I packed up and headed for home.
I want to say that I really miss everybody, I miss connecting with you and helping you to have a great musical experience, but hopefully soon, I'll return and continue to try and show you just how much playing for you means to me.
All in all the only thing that I can say that brings us to a close here is "oh what a beautiful mornin' (or evening, as it were...) oh, what a beautiful day."
I look forward to many more. Take care everybody, have a great week.
PS. If you'd like to see some perspective on the night go to: www.myspace.com/mountainstage to check out Chris' photo works
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
"From the Beginning."
"You see it's all clear, you were meant to be here...from the beginning..."
That of course is a line from the great Emerson Lake and Palmer song of the same name.
I was at work yesterday and got 2 different compliments about the same thing: being helpful.
The first came from a gentleman who I've seen at places where I've played around town, but I'm afraid I don't actually know his name. I do know that he is involved with the Alban theater ( a new venue here where I live that's doing quite well in the community). He's on the board of directors.
Anyway, he knew that I've been fighting being ill and asked how I was doing and if I were back to playing music yet. When I said that I'm making little stabs at it, he then asked if I wrote music, to which I replied that I do. He told me that there is a project being put together, and the people involved are doing music about the Coal River (also located here in St Albans...). I told him that I had received an e-mail from another friend about this very project. He then said that "it's a shame that you're not playing, as I think that you're one of the most tasteful saxophone players around..."
He said this right in front of my co-workers and my boss, and I turned 2 shades of white with embarrassment.
The second compliment came from a lady whose husband is an artist and painter. A few years back he did a display of his artwork at my library. It was the first time he had ever done a public viewing of any sort. I didn't quite rememebr this part of it, but his wife said that he did this showing at my insistance. Now as it turns out, he been asked to do his work in a number of other places and for a number of people and he's getting some residuals to boot. That's wonderful.
I have have a hard time receiving compliments, from anyone. I help people because I just feel like it's the right thing sometimes to encourage people with a dream, especially when against all odds they're trying their best to put it out there. I don't want anything from it but to see folks achieve what they strive for. It's just that simple.
One lesson that I've learned in life is that everyone has to have a starting point, a spark that sets off their fires. Oftentimes even from our own families it's hard to get encouragement. Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't be real with folks, because that's a part of the reality...sometimes it just ain't that good. At that point maybe the encouragement should come along the lines of some training or etc. then that would be real and encouraging at the same time.
In the ELP song it says " there might have been things I missed, but don't be unkind, it don't mean I'm blind, perhaps there's a thing or two..."
My wife is always after me to learn to accept compliments from people because "you do alot of things for people Charlie." I don't hate getting a compliment, I'm just not comfortable per se' with them.
I've been fortunate all of my life that my family and my friends have believed in me and pushed me to be this person, and I take that job seriously. I hope that I always pay it forward.
My true desire in life is to see the day when we all motivate, respect and envigorate one enother.
And, as in the song, "maybe we might have changed, and not been so cruel, not been such a fool..."
Believe in yourself my friends, work hard at your talents, develop them to perfection, and present them to a world that needs them. "You see it's all clear, you were meant to be here...from the beginning."
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
That of course is a line from the great Emerson Lake and Palmer song of the same name.
I was at work yesterday and got 2 different compliments about the same thing: being helpful.
The first came from a gentleman who I've seen at places where I've played around town, but I'm afraid I don't actually know his name. I do know that he is involved with the Alban theater ( a new venue here where I live that's doing quite well in the community). He's on the board of directors.
Anyway, he knew that I've been fighting being ill and asked how I was doing and if I were back to playing music yet. When I said that I'm making little stabs at it, he then asked if I wrote music, to which I replied that I do. He told me that there is a project being put together, and the people involved are doing music about the Coal River (also located here in St Albans...). I told him that I had received an e-mail from another friend about this very project. He then said that "it's a shame that you're not playing, as I think that you're one of the most tasteful saxophone players around..."
He said this right in front of my co-workers and my boss, and I turned 2 shades of white with embarrassment.
The second compliment came from a lady whose husband is an artist and painter. A few years back he did a display of his artwork at my library. It was the first time he had ever done a public viewing of any sort. I didn't quite rememebr this part of it, but his wife said that he did this showing at my insistance. Now as it turns out, he been asked to do his work in a number of other places and for a number of people and he's getting some residuals to boot. That's wonderful.
I have have a hard time receiving compliments, from anyone. I help people because I just feel like it's the right thing sometimes to encourage people with a dream, especially when against all odds they're trying their best to put it out there. I don't want anything from it but to see folks achieve what they strive for. It's just that simple.
One lesson that I've learned in life is that everyone has to have a starting point, a spark that sets off their fires. Oftentimes even from our own families it's hard to get encouragement. Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't be real with folks, because that's a part of the reality...sometimes it just ain't that good. At that point maybe the encouragement should come along the lines of some training or etc. then that would be real and encouraging at the same time.
In the ELP song it says " there might have been things I missed, but don't be unkind, it don't mean I'm blind, perhaps there's a thing or two..."
My wife is always after me to learn to accept compliments from people because "you do alot of things for people Charlie." I don't hate getting a compliment, I'm just not comfortable per se' with them.
I've been fortunate all of my life that my family and my friends have believed in me and pushed me to be this person, and I take that job seriously. I hope that I always pay it forward.
My true desire in life is to see the day when we all motivate, respect and envigorate one enother.
And, as in the song, "maybe we might have changed, and not been so cruel, not been such a fool..."
Believe in yourself my friends, work hard at your talents, develop them to perfection, and present them to a world that needs them. "You see it's all clear, you were meant to be here...from the beginning."
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
We Deserve It
Let me say at the onset of this post, that I'm sorry if I offended anyone at my doctors' office today. The staff at my kidney doctor work very dilligently to insure that every patient is well taken care of. They are thoughtful and compassionate individuals who go about their duties with love and care for all who come through their doors...
That being said...
I went today to the aforementioned after having been called at the last minute to cancel my appointment because my Nephrologist went to New York. I was told that the office had indeed called, but could not leave a message with anyone at my house. ONLY ONE CALL !!!
I do have other ways that they could have contacted me, but this never materialized, so after much anger on my part, I was seen by the doctor's assistant (who I happen to wish were my doctor...), only to be told that we now have major health issues with me AGAIN.
Not only will I now have to endure another surgery, but because I was misinformed by a number of other professionals (disguised as doctors...), I'm going to have to have a second surgery to correct a prior one ( I hope you're following me here).
When I went into a complete tirade, everyone tried in vain to calm me down wanting me to understand their positions about all of this. We had alot of "well Mr. Tuitt, I completely understand your frustration, and we're sorry about that and so on..." Someone please tell me that they did not just tell me that.
My point of contention is not the fact of the surgery, but the simple fact that at no time during the process of the prior surgeries did anyone have their acts together enough to get the damn thing right in the first place. Playing with my life to these people has become a ping pong match of the highest order. They can't seem to get all the ducks in a row at the same time.
Because the so called professionals didn't do what they were and are charging to do, people like me become frustrated and take out their anger on well meaning people who ARE doing their jobs correctly.
I feel right now like all of my joy in life has been stripped away. I feel so terrible in fact that I don't even know if Allah (God) can help me. It makes me begin to understand how good people can suddenly become angry and brooding, and I refuse to.
I've always liked to feel that I am a positive person who takes life as it comes, but even for me this is a bit much. When I have to rob Peter to pay Paul, and the doctor sees me for all of 5 seconds in the hospital and I have to pay them tens of thousands of dollars just to say hello. Something has got to give...something. My life is in the balance. Even my optomism is in check here.
All I ask of these professionals is that they quit jerking us around and do what you set out to do, HEAL PEOPLE; don't conceal from people. Put yourselves if you can in our very freightened and worn out shoes. We deserve at least that much.
That being said...
I went today to the aforementioned after having been called at the last minute to cancel my appointment because my Nephrologist went to New York. I was told that the office had indeed called, but could not leave a message with anyone at my house. ONLY ONE CALL !!!
I do have other ways that they could have contacted me, but this never materialized, so after much anger on my part, I was seen by the doctor's assistant (who I happen to wish were my doctor...), only to be told that we now have major health issues with me AGAIN.
Not only will I now have to endure another surgery, but because I was misinformed by a number of other professionals (disguised as doctors...), I'm going to have to have a second surgery to correct a prior one ( I hope you're following me here).
When I went into a complete tirade, everyone tried in vain to calm me down wanting me to understand their positions about all of this. We had alot of "well Mr. Tuitt, I completely understand your frustration, and we're sorry about that and so on..." Someone please tell me that they did not just tell me that.
My point of contention is not the fact of the surgery, but the simple fact that at no time during the process of the prior surgeries did anyone have their acts together enough to get the damn thing right in the first place. Playing with my life to these people has become a ping pong match of the highest order. They can't seem to get all the ducks in a row at the same time.
Because the so called professionals didn't do what they were and are charging to do, people like me become frustrated and take out their anger on well meaning people who ARE doing their jobs correctly.
I feel right now like all of my joy in life has been stripped away. I feel so terrible in fact that I don't even know if Allah (God) can help me. It makes me begin to understand how good people can suddenly become angry and brooding, and I refuse to.
I've always liked to feel that I am a positive person who takes life as it comes, but even for me this is a bit much. When I have to rob Peter to pay Paul, and the doctor sees me for all of 5 seconds in the hospital and I have to pay them tens of thousands of dollars just to say hello. Something has got to give...something. My life is in the balance. Even my optomism is in check here.
All I ask of these professionals is that they quit jerking us around and do what you set out to do, HEAL PEOPLE; don't conceal from people. Put yourselves if you can in our very freightened and worn out shoes. We deserve at least that much.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
It Takes Courage
Talking with a friend of mine this morning who I hadn't spoken with in quite awhile, and she told something that I think that she thought might shock me. She told me that she's become increasing more of a conservative.
She just sort of blurted it out, but out it came. We didn't get a chance for me to delve into that, because she was actually on her way out of the house when I phoned. When we finally do catch up, I want to let her know that I support her change.
I'm not a conservative, nor do I consider myself a true essence liberal, what I am is many things at once.
In an era where one's lifestyle or viewpoint is met with hell-fire resistance, I find that what I am is me. I'm Muslim, I'm African-West Indian-Bronxite-Mountain State-American; so that gives me my sort of worldview.
I get upset by what I hear on the news just like many of you. I find myself at odds with things in government just as many of you, but I also realize that it takes courage to walk around in one's skin.
People have fought and died (from all walks of life...) because they simply wanted better, and that want has cost many of them their lives. Such a shame.
As a musician and in music I look for the harmonic standpoint to make up the soundtrack of my life, and I think that if many more people would adapt to that we'd all fair better in the long run.
Courage is a very broad spectrum term, but, it can also be very pinpointed as well. At its widest angle, courage can be the the defining moment where you look beyond your current circumstance, and just fight back. That's where a statement like the one from the movie "Network" comes into play..." I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it."
When courage is at its narrowest it can be something as simple as helping a sight challenged person navigate a street corner...you just don't know if you're needed at that particular point until you step up to help.
You may be asking yourself right this minute why am I reading this...? Truth is that I wrote it because I'm trying to keep the courage to tell you that my journey in music requires that same courage. My plan is to continue to try and move forward with my music, but I'm still getting older and chasing a dream. Doesn't that take courage?
Right now, I'm in the fight of my career with my voice, trying to gain back what I lost because I didn't take care of my health when I had every opportunity to. I'm fighting tooth and nail to get to a place that may or may not exist for me, but I'm willing to fight because its what drives me.
I'm holding out my hand in friendship and peace to anyone who wants to give me theirs, and I'm leaving no stone unturned. I'm asking for guidance from my Lord above, and from my family in Heaven. I'm saying all of these things publicly with my heart on my virtual sleeve.
So as you read this piece and decide whether or not you want to share in my fight (or my plight...) just remember, it takes courage.
Enjoy your day, and make it count.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
She just sort of blurted it out, but out it came. We didn't get a chance for me to delve into that, because she was actually on her way out of the house when I phoned. When we finally do catch up, I want to let her know that I support her change.
I'm not a conservative, nor do I consider myself a true essence liberal, what I am is many things at once.
In an era where one's lifestyle or viewpoint is met with hell-fire resistance, I find that what I am is me. I'm Muslim, I'm African-West Indian-Bronxite-Mountain State-American; so that gives me my sort of worldview.
I get upset by what I hear on the news just like many of you. I find myself at odds with things in government just as many of you, but I also realize that it takes courage to walk around in one's skin.
People have fought and died (from all walks of life...) because they simply wanted better, and that want has cost many of them their lives. Such a shame.
As a musician and in music I look for the harmonic standpoint to make up the soundtrack of my life, and I think that if many more people would adapt to that we'd all fair better in the long run.
Courage is a very broad spectrum term, but, it can also be very pinpointed as well. At its widest angle, courage can be the the defining moment where you look beyond your current circumstance, and just fight back. That's where a statement like the one from the movie "Network" comes into play..." I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it."
When courage is at its narrowest it can be something as simple as helping a sight challenged person navigate a street corner...you just don't know if you're needed at that particular point until you step up to help.
You may be asking yourself right this minute why am I reading this...? Truth is that I wrote it because I'm trying to keep the courage to tell you that my journey in music requires that same courage. My plan is to continue to try and move forward with my music, but I'm still getting older and chasing a dream. Doesn't that take courage?
Right now, I'm in the fight of my career with my voice, trying to gain back what I lost because I didn't take care of my health when I had every opportunity to. I'm fighting tooth and nail to get to a place that may or may not exist for me, but I'm willing to fight because its what drives me.
I'm holding out my hand in friendship and peace to anyone who wants to give me theirs, and I'm leaving no stone unturned. I'm asking for guidance from my Lord above, and from my family in Heaven. I'm saying all of these things publicly with my heart on my virtual sleeve.
So as you read this piece and decide whether or not you want to share in my fight (or my plight...) just remember, it takes courage.
Enjoy your day, and make it count.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Harlem and the Bronx, (the making of Charlie Tee ) #7
Every now and then I get glimpses into my past when something in my present just strikes me.
Today was one of those days...
It started out great, but progressively slid downhill. I have one of those jobs that somedays it all just clicks and then there are days when ya just can't make any sense of anything, and let's just say that 5 times at bat and I struck out every time.
When my Mom was alive, once in awhile she'd come home from work (in case you'd forgotten, she worked for the Bronx District Attorney's office...), and after having dealt with the criminal element all day she would be just beat. I'd say Ma, how was your day? To which she'd reply, "sometimes murder and larceny just ain't enough.
We always got a chuckle out of that, but understood that dealing with people can be stressful at times, and although you would just love to give it back to em now and again, you have to always do your best to see the other side of your fence.
I've come to realize that music is just like that. There are times when it just fits like a glove and then there are times when no matter what you do, you can switch the light on a hundred times, but the room is still empty.
The lesson here is that no matter what, keep going, keep being positive, keep smiling, and by all means learn to laugh occasionally. it'll make your tomorrow brighter.
Thanks Ma...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Today was one of those days...
It started out great, but progressively slid downhill. I have one of those jobs that somedays it all just clicks and then there are days when ya just can't make any sense of anything, and let's just say that 5 times at bat and I struck out every time.
When my Mom was alive, once in awhile she'd come home from work (in case you'd forgotten, she worked for the Bronx District Attorney's office...), and after having dealt with the criminal element all day she would be just beat. I'd say Ma, how was your day? To which she'd reply, "sometimes murder and larceny just ain't enough.
We always got a chuckle out of that, but understood that dealing with people can be stressful at times, and although you would just love to give it back to em now and again, you have to always do your best to see the other side of your fence.
I've come to realize that music is just like that. There are times when it just fits like a glove and then there are times when no matter what you do, you can switch the light on a hundred times, but the room is still empty.
The lesson here is that no matter what, keep going, keep being positive, keep smiling, and by all means learn to laugh occasionally. it'll make your tomorrow brighter.
Thanks Ma...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
The Glue
Strange title huh...read on my friends.
I may have touched on this subject once before, but I think that it bears repeating often.
In every family there are always people who are the glue of the family; they're the ones that make families special and worthwhile. They are at once, tough and tender, heartfelt and harsh, and any number of other contrasting comparatives ( did I actually say that !, WOW!!).
I've been lucky enough in my life to witness the glue in my family (past and present), and gain some real wisdom from them.
For me in my past it was people like my Aunts Jeri, Marion, and Mirty. My cousin Mickey was another. In my present life it's my wife Vickie, and my sister in law Diane, and of course my children.
In the band, my bandmates all have their days when they are the glue, the things that each bring to the table keeps us holding on to each other and connected.
One of the most encouraging things that a person can experience is the love and respect of friends. It nice when a persons' reputation is like the sky...looked up to. In the music business it seems that alot of that has fallen by the wayside these days, and as a result many younger musicians find that they only want to be stars at their convenience. What I mean is that many people who aspire to make their living playing music only want to play in the best venues, they want to play only for an audience of thousands, they only want to have the biggest deals and on and on. I could fill up this blog and the New York Times weblog with all the things that these people want.
But what happened to just plain ol' hard work, and doing it so that it comes naturally.
If you go back in your life to the glue of your family, you might just realize that those folks who I compared and contrasted earlier had the right idea. You'd find that what many of us need, is to be encouraged, and prodded at the same time. We need to be told how great we could become, yet shown how the real world works, so that you know the difference. You can't tell little Sally or Jimmy that the bad notes they are playing or singing are great when they really aren't. Doing so will only hurt them in the long run. Being honest with them and caring about them will insure that they will be the stars that they were meant to be.
If you're not following me here, just grab some crazy glue and put it between your fingers. Did it stick? That's the real world. If you use scotch tape between your fingers it will hold for only a moment...That's the fantasy world.
Which world would you rather live in. For me...pass me the glue.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
I may have touched on this subject once before, but I think that it bears repeating often.
In every family there are always people who are the glue of the family; they're the ones that make families special and worthwhile. They are at once, tough and tender, heartfelt and harsh, and any number of other contrasting comparatives ( did I actually say that !, WOW!!).
I've been lucky enough in my life to witness the glue in my family (past and present), and gain some real wisdom from them.
For me in my past it was people like my Aunts Jeri, Marion, and Mirty. My cousin Mickey was another. In my present life it's my wife Vickie, and my sister in law Diane, and of course my children.
In the band, my bandmates all have their days when they are the glue, the things that each bring to the table keeps us holding on to each other and connected.
One of the most encouraging things that a person can experience is the love and respect of friends. It nice when a persons' reputation is like the sky...looked up to. In the music business it seems that alot of that has fallen by the wayside these days, and as a result many younger musicians find that they only want to be stars at their convenience. What I mean is that many people who aspire to make their living playing music only want to play in the best venues, they want to play only for an audience of thousands, they only want to have the biggest deals and on and on. I could fill up this blog and the New York Times weblog with all the things that these people want.
But what happened to just plain ol' hard work, and doing it so that it comes naturally.
If you go back in your life to the glue of your family, you might just realize that those folks who I compared and contrasted earlier had the right idea. You'd find that what many of us need, is to be encouraged, and prodded at the same time. We need to be told how great we could become, yet shown how the real world works, so that you know the difference. You can't tell little Sally or Jimmy that the bad notes they are playing or singing are great when they really aren't. Doing so will only hurt them in the long run. Being honest with them and caring about them will insure that they will be the stars that they were meant to be.
If you're not following me here, just grab some crazy glue and put it between your fingers. Did it stick? That's the real world. If you use scotch tape between your fingers it will hold for only a moment...That's the fantasy world.
Which world would you rather live in. For me...pass me the glue.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Friday, February 05, 2010
A View From the Stage
First of all...
Happy new year everybody. I know that this year I'm late to the party, but 2009 left me in a serious fog for most of the year.
For those of you who wrote, wondering where I am, let me calm your fears.
Throughout most of the year I was gravely ill, culminating in November with surgery being performed to remove my thyroid . During the course of the procedure a mass was discovered, and upon trying to remove it I bled out so profusely that the doctor had to actually stop my heart.
Normally more anesthesia is given to a patient, but in my case my kidney function which was already low prevented that, so in effect the doctor had to end me (I'm trying to be delicate here...).
As you can imagine, my wife Vickie had to endure all of this (I'll never stop being grateful to her...), and pray for a different outcome. We made it through, and a few months later here I am.
From this part of the stage, I feel eternally blessed, and thankful for my very life.
Now...
One of the side effects so far that we've been faced with is that I've seeming lost my voice. I'm having some trouble rendering any type of pitch. In plain english that means that I can't rise to certain notes like I did before, and it hurts a little when I try to sing or play the saxophone; but I'm seeing a speech pathologist who is fighting with me to help gain it back, and so far it's working pretty well.
So a view from this stage is saying that I have to continue to work hard to get back what I lost.
When you lose something so dear to you that it scares you, that's the time when you have to lean on faith the most. I'm learning a valuable lesson about patience and perserverence right now, and it's a hard lesson to learn; believe me.
This all sounds tragic and crazy at the same time, but I really am going through it and I'll get through it.
PART 2
A few weeks ago, Vickie and I decided to go and listen to some music, as I was becoming restless just sitting around the house recuperating. While we were enjoying the evening with some friends a fight broke out just at the end of the billiards area of this place, and in the resulting melee the police were called ( everyone has been to one of these places commonly known as a dive...).
All of that got me thinking...one of the hardest parts of being a musician on the rise is staying out of the middle of scenes just like this, and many musicians and singers often find themselves on the short end of that stick for a couple of reasons. 1:many times the band gets associated wrongly with what goes on in a place. When something like that happens many people just connect the band to the trouble. Now that's not to say that now and again it's not deserved, but for the most part it tends to be unfavorable...for the band. 2. alot of musicians sticking their necks out for people find that doing so can create enemies who may have been fans...if everyone just would step back for a moment.
I'm saying all this to say that musicians should always try to use their music to create fun and warmth and harmony.The saying that applies here is of course "music soothes the savage breast." So a view from the stage should always be how can we make some negativity quiet down.
One way is to use your music to make people face forward toward you as opposed to trying to hone in on the negative action. To capture someones attention...whisper.
Finally a view from the audiences' stage is that they are there to hear you, whether they paid or not for that doesn't matter, they're out there for you so give them the best, and leave 'em thirsty for more, so that they will...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
See ya soon.
Happy new year everybody. I know that this year I'm late to the party, but 2009 left me in a serious fog for most of the year.
For those of you who wrote, wondering where I am, let me calm your fears.
Throughout most of the year I was gravely ill, culminating in November with surgery being performed to remove my thyroid . During the course of the procedure a mass was discovered, and upon trying to remove it I bled out so profusely that the doctor had to actually stop my heart.
Normally more anesthesia is given to a patient, but in my case my kidney function which was already low prevented that, so in effect the doctor had to end me (I'm trying to be delicate here...).
As you can imagine, my wife Vickie had to endure all of this (I'll never stop being grateful to her...), and pray for a different outcome. We made it through, and a few months later here I am.
From this part of the stage, I feel eternally blessed, and thankful for my very life.
Now...
One of the side effects so far that we've been faced with is that I've seeming lost my voice. I'm having some trouble rendering any type of pitch. In plain english that means that I can't rise to certain notes like I did before, and it hurts a little when I try to sing or play the saxophone; but I'm seeing a speech pathologist who is fighting with me to help gain it back, and so far it's working pretty well.
So a view from this stage is saying that I have to continue to work hard to get back what I lost.
When you lose something so dear to you that it scares you, that's the time when you have to lean on faith the most. I'm learning a valuable lesson about patience and perserverence right now, and it's a hard lesson to learn; believe me.
This all sounds tragic and crazy at the same time, but I really am going through it and I'll get through it.
PART 2
A few weeks ago, Vickie and I decided to go and listen to some music, as I was becoming restless just sitting around the house recuperating. While we were enjoying the evening with some friends a fight broke out just at the end of the billiards area of this place, and in the resulting melee the police were called ( everyone has been to one of these places commonly known as a dive...).
All of that got me thinking...one of the hardest parts of being a musician on the rise is staying out of the middle of scenes just like this, and many musicians and singers often find themselves on the short end of that stick for a couple of reasons. 1:many times the band gets associated wrongly with what goes on in a place. When something like that happens many people just connect the band to the trouble. Now that's not to say that now and again it's not deserved, but for the most part it tends to be unfavorable...for the band. 2. alot of musicians sticking their necks out for people find that doing so can create enemies who may have been fans...if everyone just would step back for a moment.
I'm saying all this to say that musicians should always try to use their music to create fun and warmth and harmony.The saying that applies here is of course "music soothes the savage breast." So a view from the stage should always be how can we make some negativity quiet down.
One way is to use your music to make people face forward toward you as opposed to trying to hone in on the negative action. To capture someones attention...whisper.
Finally a view from the audiences' stage is that they are there to hear you, whether they paid or not for that doesn't matter, they're out there for you so give them the best, and leave 'em thirsty for more, so that they will...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
See ya soon.
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