Where does it all go?
Time. Pressure and time, Andy Dufresne. Seriously – to where does all our time escape? One minute we’re playing in the cul-de-sac as children, the next we’re getting married, then boom – you’re 40. (Something…). I mention time for several reasons in this exploration of our existence, and maybe you can offer some insight or your own sentiment to the discussion. Today is my oldest brother’s birthday. He’s always going to be my big brother, but passing his mid 40’s and getting closer to the other big ‘F’ landmark means that I am getting older as well. We all are, I suppose. But getting old doesn’t scare me at all. Dying doesn’t scare me. I don’t want to die, so relax – I’m not listening to Blink 182 and buying eyeliner. (I don’t even know what that means…) What scares me most about the whole thing is that when I die there will still be mountains I haven’t climbed and songs I haven’t recorded. That’s what scares me.
So with each milestone that comes and goes, we see the pebbles that are left behind. There are those that say ‘what if’, and some that say ‘do it better next time’. I say do what you can while you can, and if you don’t get everything on one trip, then chalk that up and move on. Learn and take it with you, then do it better down the road. My wife and I were talking about travel last night. We were in Jamaica a few years back, and had a great time, but we don’t think we need to go back – and if we do it wouldn’t be for more than a few days. While there, we did as much as we could, but our safety was in question down there, so I’d have to say that given a choice, we’ll pass. We had a crazy good time, but also didn’t get to everything. But we take what we learned and move on, rather than dwell on what we didn’t get to experience there.
There are those that blow it out every night they are out – living like it’s their last breath – and in a way I am jealous, in a way I am not. I appreciate the fervor for life and living, but I also think that the motivation is a little different. It’s hollow. Drunkfest 2013 isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And I am not talking about the young folks here – there are plenty of old people in my demographic that feel the night is a wash if they don’t get hammered and run up huge bar tabs. Again knock it out – just call a cab.
But I watch time go by with a quiet reverence. I have people in my life that have been there for decades, and also new friends that I hope are around for the next few decades of my life. I cherish all the time we get, and look forward to the next time. I pull out old pictures, try and remember the good and not the bad, and I try to remember to snap pictures the next time, because you just never know. I read two horrific stories this past week – both involving touring musicians and cars. Chuck Goff, who is Toby Keith’s bass player was killed in Oklahoma last week, and Nashville drummer Gregg Lohman was hurt very badly in a car wreck as well, and remains in ICU. Please keep both these folks and the people around them in your prayers. People leave us too quickly, and we take for granted the time we do get. Hug ’em, love ’em, tell ’em how you feel. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
This is Captain Buzzkill speaking. We will end this flight and get you on a happier website soon… Sheesh! A little heavy for Monday, I know, but I guess I get a little frustrated at the amount of ‘hollow living’ that goes on – we feel we are doing so much in our lives, but in reality we aren’t. And this is a sweeping, broad generalization, so if you are training for that triathlon in Mexico, please don’t get mad. But I just hope that you are enjoying your ride, no matter what that ride is.
Switching gears….
There is a phenomena that occurs in Nashville every year. Much like the Oscars or the Cannes Film festival (but with much less sunshine), CRS hits town and like a swarm of locusts, we are hit with radio people from around the globe (OK, mostly the reporting stations out of the Midwest). Country Radio Seminar brings the accidental/intentional/occidental tourist out in all of them, as they are wowed by acoustic performances from bands as the reps beg for more airplay, all wined and dined and shuttled around Nashville, clogging Lower Broadway with their foot traffic and clogging the credit card machines with expense accounts. Actually this is when the labels throw the catered open bar parties, so if you can get in, then you can eat pretty well all week. The old scam in town was to go to the Sky Bar downtown connected to the Hilton because that’s where someone had an open tab. I have since learned to stay the hell out of Dodge unless seeing friends at other shows. In addition to our show at Past Perfect, we were at the Average Joe’s party with Colt Ford and Company. Creeper – you are a bad boy on bass, and it was good see you again.
Our show on Wednesday at PP was an acoustic show, and this usually means that we have no amps, minimal soundcheck, and play a very short set. Well, for some reason, we had to be at the venue at 2:30, with the show starting at 5, with a 6 PM downbeat for us. I think they were trying to get us a sound check and settled in. As fate would have it, we had no soundcheck, couldn’t really hear what we were playing, and the stage was the size of a postage stamp. Ahh, CRS. Gotta love it. We played with High Valley, Old Dominion, and my old buddy Billy Ray Cyrus. It makes it fun when there is some talent on the bill. The one good thing about the whole week is seeing good friends, especially ones that play music.
With Saturday night off, I was actually at home getting work done, which I really didn’t mind. I did manage to sneak to Marathon Village to see and hear soundcheck with The Blues Brothers Band. I am honored to call Steve Cropper a good friend, and to hear him is always a treat – especially playing the BB tunes. I thought our soundchecks were long – they played at least 6 tunes, so I can say I saw 1/3 of the show. Goose bumps. Lots of goose bumps.
I’m busy at home this week with video work, music work, and house stuff. My touring week is light this week, as sometimes happens this time of year, but I suspect that will be changing soon. Phil is launching a new single in a couple of weeks, and I hope you dig it. This week finds us in Milwaukee, where the show is already sold out, but don’t worry. We’ll be back in the summer when it’s a little warmer. I hope your week is a good one, and you get to do all the things you want to do. If not, then just try a little harder next time. And make sure you take a picture or two – which is something I haven’t done this week. I didn’t think you wanted to see Gripper primer or screwdrivers during this kitchen renovation.
See you on the road!!
