Inspiring Thoughts About Musicians (By David Ackert, LA Times)
“Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth.
They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime.
Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again.
Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream.
With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment.
With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life
– the car, the family, the house, the nest egg.
Why?
Because musicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul.
Musicians are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart.
In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be.
And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.”
David Ackert, LA Times
Conclusion
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Sharon Ruth Frantz Says:
I’ve loved this ever since I first read it when it was shared on facebook! I cry every time I read it because it is so beautiful and most of all, TRUE! I am very close friends with one band and it’s members who are a perfect example of this. I first saw them perform live back in November of 2012 and from then on i was hooked! They come from a very small town in PA. Well, I started to follow them and see them perform “live” every chance I could, even traveled to Ardmore, PA, NJ, NY, State College, PA, etc Then, one day while watching my favorite Soap on CBS, the ad for The Grammy Gig of a life time came on and I decided to nominate them! The grand prize being that they would be able to perform “live” at the Grammy’s on National TV. Well, because of my nominating them and sharing the voting status’s for people to vote for them, and the whole contest, they were noticed by Wind-Up Records out of NY and were called to come perform a “live” showcase in NY which I attended, then they just finished a national tour with the Band The Blue Van, and during the tour they performed with the other big name artists that are signed with Wind-Up Records for Wind Up Records 15th Anniversary at The SXSW show held in Austin Texas with The Virgin Mary’s, Civil Twilight, etc. and now they are back home, but they do have many concerts coming up and I believe the next step is to record for the Wind-Up Records label and release their CD?! I am so happy for them, and I know they have given their entire lives to a moment, to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul because they sure stirred my soul and touched my heart and it was and is magic! They’ve done this as well for most all the audience’s they’ve performed for! So, I for one, will be dedicated to them forever! They are the Band known as “Crobot” from Pottsville PA USA. I’ve also met so many other wonderful talented musicians and bands through my friendship with them! Then I’ve also met so many wonderful, interesting, people who have also become like “Family” to me. They really re awakened my love of music, and have brought so much happiness to me that I am so great ful! So, Thank you, David, for this wonderful blog, you really speak words of truth and wisdom and I know this because I’ve experienced it first hand. Words can’t express the beauty and feeling I feel when I read it because I can completely relate to it! I want to dedicate it to Crobot as well as all the other musicians, and bands that I’ve come to know. Thank you! Blessings!
April 13th, 2013 at 11:03 amGuy Strazz Says:
I see Ackert’s writing as an old romantic defeatist notion. If I felt like that about being a musician I wouldn’t be one; live my entire life for a moment that doesn’t routinely happen in that godly, perfect way as he suggests? Moreover, plenty of people struggle/suffer far more than musicians on this planet, and for far less or no compensation. Musicians are also responsible people that consider their relationships with loved one and their children. They like holidays, a good working car, and sooner or later learn that one can be a family man/woman and still be a successful musician. Musicians are adaptable and soon learn how to survive, some more than survive! A musician is like any other self-employed person that takes their business seriously, because if they don’t they’ll sink. A musician incapable of running his/her business should learn to do so for their benefit and, if in a relationship + children, for their family. A musician who is not aware of these factors in life can fail, and more often than not, become bitter over time just like any other artist. I guess the question is: Do musicians need pain and suffering to create? Life brings these experiences to everyone, not just musicians, but doesn’t it feel better to create knowing that the car works properly, the bills are paid and the family holiday is booked? I don’t like to be stereotyped as a loser by people like David Ackert because ‘that special Godly moment’ – according to him – outweighs all the other valuable people/things/experiences in my life, and my dependence on them and responsibility towards them.
March 23rd, 2018 at 1:20 pm