Lucky wrote: "...giving back to the system, means (spiritually speaking and with a simplistic explanation) taking what you were given (musical talent), nurturing and working hard at what you were given, and afterwards giving it back to the "system" (people) after you've fully developed your talent, without concerning yourself with "what's in it for me?"
______________________________________________

Lucky-Much to chew on in that statement...

...some random thoughts...

...some people can work their butts off practicing for hours a day and still not be very good. I think there's a place for people who love music, who don't have much talent but find a way to be entertaining to others.

...I know guys from my College days that were freakishly talented but became ill when it came to performing for audiences. They wanted no part of the "entertainment" end of things whatsoever...They wanted to work on their music, be left mostly alone and let the chips fall where they may...(I'd call these guys the "art-eests.")

...I do very few benefit performances. I collect a fee from all but two of my clients. Do you distinguish between those who perform for free out of some emotional motive and those who do so on a fee based agreement only?

...who has ever, "fully developed their talent?"

...My musical career, for the last, 14 years and for many of the last 30 years, has been all about me. I was not born into royalty and must earn a living while I'm on this world. Two decades ago I met a lovely young lady who is smarter than me and convinced her to marry me, (she did) and then to have children (we did). With the bliss from the now four women in my life, there also comes increased responsibility, duty and honor.

For me, I can't/won't be musical in a vacuum, so everything I do effects my loved ones. I think balance is critical in one's life and that too much of anything isn't good. I think selfishness can be a virtue, if it doesn't impede others ability to be "selfish" as well. I think many would say practical is a better word to use. Perhaps...

I don't imagine I'm breaking any new musical boundaries in my music...I do know I and many, many others in this forum provide a fairly sought after service. I suppose I could say I bring music to a very needy group of people who otherwise wouldn't get to hear it in the form that I provide it. Well, trust me, if I don't bring it, there's 5 guys named Moe lined up outside the door ready to step in. Do they do as well as I do, worse than I do? That's not my call...

So, Lucky, I'll ask you to consider this. A musician, who has not fully developed his musical skills, who freely admits a large chunk of what I do some 400 times a year is VERY much all about me and what do I get out of it, yet brings music, memories, smiles, tears and fellowship to upwards of 20 thousand people a year - where does he fall?

There is a real, tangible value and importance to what many of us do daily here. I submit, several of us effect more people than many more talented "art-eests" reach. I've seen that lifestyle up close...I've seen absolute wizards play but they were so fragile emotionally or wild with ego that they couldn't put it all together and find a happy way to weave their music into their daily lives.

"Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" surely is one of the dog songs of all time, yet I play it with great regularity. Why? Because invariably, it evokes emotion in my audiences and brings them pleasure. They smile, they wiggle, they dance...they remember when they danced with the love of their lives who they no doubt miss beyond words. To initiate that response and to get to view the intimacy that usually follows by playing mostly pop tunes of yesteryear, I have always thought to be a high privilege.

I think to rail against anyone who brings musical pleasure to others, is snobbish and trite. To bring this full circle, the guy on the cruise ship, whether I think he plays Piano Man the right way or not, is effecting people in a good way.

They had fun...

Period...

Everything else doesn't matter in the big scheme of things, I think.

------------------
Bill in Dayton



[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 12-23-2008).]