"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." ~ Albert Schweitzer
For such a smart guy, he was half right.
My lessons include:
Enjoying this life is good. Music transforms the mundane into magical. Insert earbuds, press play and be transported through time and space. A little jazz and the refuge appears.
Read More
Hearing a song from our teenage years lights up our brain like a Fourth of July fireworks show. The perfect storm of raging hormones, significant neurological development, and strong emotions, tie memories and songs together.
As life progresses, there is not the same dynamic happening in our bodies and the ties are not as strong. Doctor's us music to bring back memories of youth to Alzheimer's patients by playing songs from the Top 100 charts of their youth. The area of the brain that stores these memories is some of the last to be affected by the disease. The patients can regain some awareness and enjoy walking down memory lane.
Read More
Details matter and being specific makes all the difference. Honoring an artist as "great" is an empty compliment and lacks integrity. How does this particular artist stand out from the others? What makes them "great" in your eyes?
Is it their vocal range, emotion on stage, music writing, the ability to sing and dance, knowing the right songs to choose to record, music production, talent on an instrument, willingness to shock the audience or their causes outside of music?
There isn't a right or wrong answer. It is your opinion and your taste.
Read More
We are not giving up our music. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) represents the international recording industry. The 2016 annual report stated, in 2015 global industry revenues were $15B and digital sales overtook physical products for the first time.
That is a lot of $0.99 downloads!
Read More
My cousin betrayed me, and it took a change of heart to forgive.
I was about ten-years-old before paying attention to music. My cousin, Crystal, is a few years older and introduced me to the world of country music. Kenny Rodgers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, and Alabama were well-worn records in my collection. We were country music fans, and nothing was going to challenge this loyalty.
Read More
"The end of all good music is to affect the soul." Composer, Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Music blows past our mental gatekeepers and lodges deep in our soul. I have declared a new release as my new favorite song, sung along, bought the record and only then, realized the lyrics were terrible. The power of the music or the beat was enough to hook me and motivate me to exchange my cash.
Read More