The TRUTH about Musicians...

[Jim Cohen]

“Singers and 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 and singers 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. Singers and 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

Can I get an Amen on that?

[Brint Hannay]

Amen!

[Dave Hopping]

You can indeed,Jim.And a couple of hallelujahs too.

[Skip Edwards]

[Bob Watson]

Amen Brother Jim! Nice post!

[Georg Sørtun]

Amen!

[Brandin]

Mmmmm, life's nectar.


GB

[Jim Cohen]

220 views and only 6 in the Amen Choir? Do the rest of y'all disagree?

[John De Maille]

You get an Amen from me, Jim
Been there, done that, then quit!

[Clete Ritta]

Amen Jimbeaux, Im all in for the music. If I were in for the money, well... I sure wouldn't be a musician!

Clete

[Kevin Lichtsinn]

I ain't a pro musician , but I will shout a loud AMEN and AMEN!

[Barry Blackwood]

I'm not sure how many of us resemble the lofty entertainers defined in your opening post. In keeping with that train of thought, possibly a more appropriate subject title might have been, "A truth about Musicians." Still, a (conditional) 'amen' from me..

[Geoff Barnes]

an amen for "every predictable milestone missed"! What the quote describes as courageous and driven may just be a case of "forgot to get out of the rain"...

[Joey Ace]

Disagree. Many are, many are not.

[Donny Hinson]

"Any art form geared to making money isn't really art, anyway, it's more simply your producing a commodity. The moment a real artist takes note of what other people want, and tries to supply it on demand, he ceases to become an artist, and becomes a dull craftsman."

Paraphrased (as best I can remember) from one of Oscar Wilde's articles.

[Clete Ritta]

...artist takes note of what other people want, and tries to supply it on demand...

Thats an interesting angle in the art debate Donny. We must then realize that much of the artwork created during the renaissance was commissioned by the church. Michelangelo took note of what the Pope wanted, and supplied the "art" on the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel on demand.

I guess the phrase "starving artist" describes real artists, who refuse to accept remuneration for their work, and the rest who just cant sell anything. The irony of fine art is that many works don't become valuable until after the artist is deceased. As long as the artist doesnt get paid, its real art.

Clete

[Alan Brookes]

I don't know whether those sentiments are true of musicians in every category, but they certainly seem true of steel guitarists. I've never come across a steel guitarist who wasn't helpful and friendly. Even the greatest steel guitarists don't seem to have any "airs and graces" about them.

You hear stories of the old days when steel guitarists would slacken their strings after a gig to make sure no-one knew their tuning, but I don't think that happens nowadays when every imaginable tuning has been published and analyzed.

[Richard Damron]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEENNNN

Is that worth more than just one "Amen", Jimbeaux?

Richard

[Billy Webb]

AMEN, AMEN, and AMEN. I certainly don't feel slandered or maligned by this article. try working 40 yrs developing a style, and really digging it, and then have a stroke take it all away in a split second. that was on a 6 string, thank god I played steel enough, that I am coming back on it. My right hand is practically as good as it ever was, thank God, and I can hold the bar pretty good, no complaints, just full speed ahead. (BILLY WEBB)

[Ron Epperson]

AMEN to that brother

[chas smith R.I.P.]

"These three things doth crooked paths follow. Carts, boats and musicians." Chaucer

[Ray Minich]

No risk, no reward.

And AMEN to the message....

[Gene Jones]

Jim, I'm sorry, but no Amen from me on your submission.

If I had dedicated my life to being a successful sideman, I would have failed.

But, I didn't, so I must find something to validate my life.

[chas smith R.I.P.]

[Jim Cohen]

Great cartoon, Chas.

BTW, for the record, I've never been a full-time musician myself, but I can still relate to the sacrifice and courage required of those who choose to do this for a living. I don't think you have to have experienced the scenario in the quote personally in order to empathize with those who have.