It's funny how life takes a hold of us and steers us in directions that we didn't plan, or even necessarily think were options. I've been in a constant state of internal struggle with music for some time now. Back to my serious playing days, to my serious recording/producing days, and even my not so serious playing days. Music has always been a part of me in some way. It's in my soul, my skin, my dna. Even after selling most of my gear a while back so I could move to Mexico and be with my new born son, I have still had the music bug in my, I couldn't shake it. I suppose this web site, and this blog are an extension of this. The constant struggle between life, and music. One might argue that music is life, and I would have a hard time debating that point. However at what cost?
I have seen friendships, relationships, partnerships destroyed because of music. Is music, and one persons passion worth more than friendship? There is a rule in the entertainment industry that basically states, "there's no friends in rock & roll" or "in order to make an omelet you have to break some eggs". You get the idea. Essentially if you are going to "make it" you're going to have to piss off a few people along the way. I don't know, is that really true? I personally don't know a lot of people that have "made it". I used to know some people who then went on to have some success, perhaps I would even say they "made it". But I wouldn't say that I am really friends with these people anymore. Not that their was a falling out, or hurt feelings or anything, but just choices that people make. Priorities. Music is time consuming, money consuming, and above all else life consuming.
You always hear about bands touring for many months, or even years. Being away from friends and family and maybe even their children. And on top of that being with the same group of people for that entire tour. How do they cope? Drugs, sex, anger, sadness, a combination of all of these maybe. I'm not so much talking about the boys of Metallica, or The Rolling Stones. I mean they can just bring family with them, or fly home after every show. I'm talking more about the working band. The ones trying to make living, and barely doing so. Tour to pay the rent, support the family, that sort of band. Let's face it, not many bands are making money on record sales anymore. Touring is one of the only ways to make a buck for yourself and the record company anymore, aside from maybe video games, commercials and that sort of thing. The working band has always and always will tour.
What happens when the music's over? I guess you hope that you still have your friends and family. In a lot of cases I'm sure that people do. In other cases, who knows. Maybe that's why so many musicians keep going, reinventing themselves whether it be in writing, performing, producing, tv, etc. Hard to let go, and who wants to get a real job? I'm grateful for my time in music. I rarely made much money, but I have lots to show for myself. Lots of things I am proud of, things I look forward to showing my son when he's older and my daughter now. I always find a way to reinvent myself, and now is no exception. I have things on the go, and you haven't heard the last from me. I will finish this web site, I will have new music, both my own and others. Stay tuned, this is just the beginning.
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