Funny How Things Change

As my views on this topic have drasticlly changed. Im retracting statments made in this. Due to my own personal struggles with the religion issues.

The Blues

Blues"Social ,and economic, and somewhat spiritual. As in relation to man kinds loneliness. The term blues derived from an African American man named W.C. Handy somewhere around 1903. After writing a song called "Yellow Dog Blues" the term Blues became popular. Yellow Dog being the name of the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad. Eventually adopting elements similar to Ragtime. Later bringing on the infamous 12 bar blues role. W.C. went on to write "Memphis Blues" around the time of 1912. The so called father of the Blues went on to bridge the gap of Blues,Ragtime,and Jazz. The growth of the Blues went on into the later years of the 1920's. Where at that time female singers got into the mix of things. Both Country and Blues started becoming popular with record company's around this time.                                         "Information From Wikipedia"                                          Personally I have a great respect for the founders of the Blues. As I can relate to a lot of the lyrics. I think we all can to a certain extent. Staying humble in the face of despair. These men and women managed through the years to share feelings and bless us with their talent. As it has evolved on down through the years the root of the Blues is the same. Country music having striking similarities to the blues also has had a lot of influence on me through the years. There was much more to the history of the Blues. I only used bits and pieces in my blog. Just to give you an idea of what the Blues are about and where they come from. Everyone has their own Blues. Different degree's and different problems. The beauty of music is the same song can have several different meanings to different audiences. To you it says one thing to someone else another. Theres no set rule on that. Life on a daily basis gives us all the material in the world for the Blues. Its all in how you decide to accept it. There has to be some sacrifice from for the hard lived life. Maybe some by choice maybe not. Meaning maybe your choice of lifestyle is what led to your material. Or maybe you never had a choice. You just played the hand life dealt you. Nobody knows what struggles you have had. You cant measure your pain with someone else's either. Pain is pain no matter what your own personal scale is. That's where you will find healing in your own music. For me it comes and go's. Everyone gets their turn. To me its easy to be confident when every things going good. But to maintain when your at a low is what makes up your character. For some you become accustom to this way of living. You see I think everyone has their own calling in life. For some its a steady job working where your dad did. Raising a family on a couple acres with a white picket fence. Never venturing or questioning what else could have been out there. Never taking risks or chancing a loss. That's safe and a lot of people find happiness in that. Ive been there and found happiness in it myself at one time. Wife,kids, and a dog. Little house your average Joe job doing what I could for them to get by. As fate would have it with several other contributing factors. That didn't last. Partly my fault and partly not. Honest fact is even in those moments I couldn't help wondering if that was all there was to life. I mean I love my son more than anything and I'm thankful God blessed me with him. I just think for some of us that restless feeling never go's away. Which in turn leads to more events in life that give us great songwriting material. Seems as soon  as things are good "or what others call good" I get bored . Anyone else ever feel like that? These times usually make for a great story the next day...or however long it would take to find your way home. While laughing with your friends at wherever your drunken journey took you. Its probably left you in way worse shape than what you thought you were in to begin with. But you have your stories and memories. While they probably enjoyed their casual social evening  evening of little excitement. That's ok to each their own. Just know that for those of us who never tame that wondering feeling of restlessness. It comes with great sacrifice as I mentioned earlier. Sure you will think about what might have been and wonder what it might have been like if you hadn't taken that chance. Swallowed your pride and allowed yourself to be consumed by whatever play it safe honorable take the high road type of behavior. Or you will live with your actions of not. Many of our great musical legends died early deaths just for that very type of behavior. But they shared something with us that lives on to this very day. Their story's they told in their music. From Blues to Country and all other genre's of music. That's what makes it life. For some of us that's what makes the Blues so therapeutic. No ill never know the feeling of an ordinary life or what most would call normal. But most wont ever get to experience the great times and extreme adventures Ive had either. The clarity that came with each of these choices is that while they may cost you by worldy standards great consequence. The decision not to came with an even greater one.For some of us its the only way to know were still alive. In the end there is no normal life....there is only life.Thats just my opinion though. Till next time. Stay musical                                                                                                                                     

Tiny Dancer- Almost Famous

How Big Of Hypocrite Are You?

Hypocrite-"a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion" Wondering if you fit that definition?Ill answer that for you. I'm sure you have at one point or another. Question is how big of one are you, and how much of it are you in denial? I'm guilty of it myself to a certain degree. Difference is I know I am. For some though the portrayal of yourself you want seen. Is somehow suppose to be on your own scale of what you consider wrong. While you set in awe of yourself and depict the flaws of everyone else. Your few pitiful accomplishments in life are not enough for the homeless to be jealous of. While your judgemental attitude somehow gives you a sense a superiority. It only serves as comic material for the rest of the world to make a mockery out of you. Though to your disbelief you think of yourself to highly for anyone to do that. Anyone know that someone yet? See the difference I think is whether you know it or not. You should know your place in life. I know mine. I know I'm not well liked. Ive st rived most my life to accomplish this feat. I have a great respect for a few people in my life but for the most part...eh. My hat does go off to the humble hard working consistent man or woman. Who minds his own business, and even when done wrong never sits in judgement of anyone. I know a lot of people who think this of themselves but no. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Your immediate circle of friends and family pumping you up to believe it doesn't count. They are of no significance other than your own little click. They probably hold no clout either. Are y'all starting to get someone in mind? Fact is they are probably your only strength. If ever face to face with whomever your problem Ly's with. Your cynical type of behavior would compel you to simply smile and pretend to be their best friend. Totally wrapped up in your scarred little strength in numbers world. As soon as they leave your return to the trash talking bashing them war returns. As you prepare yourself for Sunday morning service at your local gossip house you refer to as church. Don't get me wrong I'm not going against  the Lord or the church. Simply stating that your constant attendance doesn't constitute the right to set in place your own little set of rules. Then have them justified to yourself because you asked for forgiveness when in your heart you don't mean it. Or maybe not..maybe you don't even attend church and just have your own made up little standards of moral. Fact is we all know someone like this. I just wondered if there was anyone else who knows these people and feels the same. Like I said I'm guilty of it myself. But the degree and how we view ourselves and accomplishments is what makes the difference. No I'm far from perfect,and I know it. I also know that I'm far from a humble guy most the time. I'm not setting around pretending to be either. But if your genuine and making the honest effort..good for you. Don't half way do it do it. I wish you the best of luck. At the end of day we all put our pants on one leg at a time. Just my thoughts.Till next time stay musical my friends.

Music..Good For The Soul

There are many different things that pose problems in today's society. With the economy in its pitfall and unemployment at an all time high. Not to mention just your every day common problems life gives you. Marriage,divorce, maybe your children who knows. Point is that for everyone of us there are every day occurrence's that raise our stress factors to the point of almost being unbearable. Or so we think. You know those days where your thinking to yourself..."why me God?". Well we all can sympathize with those kind of days. Now on the other hand what serves as your...oh lets say relief? Church maybe? Nothing wrong with turning it over to the Lord. I come from a Christian background myself and have been known to quote a little scripture. That however could be a whole different conversation in itself. I'm not here to discuss your religious beliefs or disbeliefs. Just to see if anyone is in agreement on music serving as a certain therapy for when your down. For some I'm sure your passion for music is higher than others. Nothing wrong with that either. I'm simply saying how many of us get that good time feeling when your in your car and hear your favorite song come on. Whether its a new favorite or something from your wilder years. "When you said you would never marry or have kids". At any rate you know what I mean music lovers. Your driving along singing along with the song except for that one part you never did figure out so you mumble through it. Yeah we all have one of those favorites. Without even realizing that for that brief moment while that song was playing. You had forgotten all about whatever it was stressing you out. Granted maybe you can only maintain that for the length of the song. However with technology only an ipod,CD player and repeat button away. Amnesia is never far from our grasp. For those of us who are lucky enough to play sing or write. It serves as the same kind of therapy. Also its free and nobody can take it from you. Its part of you in your heart and soul. As lame as that may sound. But in a world of having to stretch every dime and robing Peter to pay Paul so to speak. Anything that's makes you feel better and is free is economically viable. Now don't take that statement out of context. Cause that also could be a whole different topic. All I'm saying is give it some thought. Maybe you agree or maybe you don't. Leave me a comment and tell me what ya think. Till next time stay musical.

The Art Of Loving Music And How You Relate

I think for each and every person music plays some sort of role in our lives. Whether your musically talented or just your grade A singing in the shower person. Whatever your preference ill bet you have some sort of emotional attachment to your favorite music. To me music makes up somewhat of who you are as a person. Because its what your feeling inside to me. Granted in today's age some people say they like a certain songs for just the beat. They don't even pay attention to the words. If that's what satisfies you well then more power to you. As for me I only like something if I can somewhat relate to it.Depending on whats going on in my life. I enjoy anything with a message to it. Now I do have certain root favorites that are what I grew up on sure. Country music growing up is what I heard the most. Its also what I learned to play first and started writing. As I was ignorant to the fact of all the other musics that were out there. Not to say country was all I heard but that was the dominant one. That was until I was on into my later teens. Then discovering southern rock,blues,etc. Yes rap, and pop were also in there. The two I stuck with most through the years were country and blues though I think. Why? Well I think cause 90% of the time they are the ones I can relate to the most. If you think about it I bet you have various loves for different kinds of music but you have that one favorite also. I'm sure it changes like mine to. Its funny how a little piece of music can bring out an emotion. Whether it be the words or guitar lick...maybe a fiddle whining? Whatever the case maybe you get the point. Or maybe the whole damn song just says what your thinking or want to say you just didn't know how to say it. That's what makes your favorite music or singer or band great to you. At any cost this the discussion of music and how it relates to people is always a interesting topic for me. I'd love to hear some of you thoughts, and input. Leave me a comment positive or negative that's what makes this America. Or if you have a certain topic of discussion or opinion on a personal matter. Whatever the case maybe let me know. I look forward to reading your feedback. Till next time stay musical