The things we read

Most of the literature I read now-a-days are biographies.

Mostly because I'd rather read about how a person became what we know, but also to weed out the bullshit you hear about everyone.

Tonight I was reading something about George Roberts. If you aren't familiar with him, he is Mr. Bass Trombone. One of those highly influential LA studio musicians that made his presence felt.

Of course I have the upmost respect for Mr. Roberts, and his sound and passion are something to take into account, but to me, he isn't a hero of mine.  His philosophy behind music just doesn't sit well with me.  Although I agree with many things he says, I just have an a feeling it is easy to say those things when you are making a surplus in cash.

 For example:

"Eventually, you're going to have to play something beautiful for somebody. And if you can't, I think you've got serious problems. You've got to have, first of all, like a feeling of love for everybody. Hate loses. Negativity loses. That style always is a no-no. I can't remember when I heard a real--I can't use the word on your tape--but I can't remember when I've heard one of those type of people ever play anything really beautiful. They're too angry. That's not right. That isn't music."

A beautiful statement, but I am a human being and I don't have the capability to love everyone.
Yes, hate and negativity loses, and I agree that you will have to play something beautiful for someone, but that is a bold assumption to think you know what other people think is beautiful.

There is beauty in everything, and for some artists, getting that negativity out may be our way to get to the beauty.  Perhaps through that journey we find something beautiful.

Again, it is easy to look back on your life and make these kinds of statements, but in the moment, you are just trying to pay your bills, eat, and JUST maybe at the same time you are filling the void where words leave off.

Would you pay someone to hear that?

This is just a quick blog.

Over the years I have noticed that there are several young musicians that have no patience to live.

They rush through their years because they think something big happens. 

Let me be the one that breaks it to you:

Dreaming of something big doesn't mean something big will happen.

You have to live and experience a life before you can do anything. To quote Louis C.K. "you're fucking 20, what do you have to offer to society?"

Long story short, be present.  If there is anything that I have learned, the secret to success is to always be present.  

In the end, so many of us would be more successful if we played the game, even just a little bit.

We all know what I mean by the game.  That game where you suck up to your superiors, constantly try to be the shining student, the outstanding over achiever, etc.

Let's face it, some of us are stubborn and aren't followers.  

BUT, those of us who understand that if we played the game, and capitalized on all of its bullshit intricacies, then we could be put into a position to change it all.

The only way to figure it out is to live a life, and let the pieces fall where they may.

Wasted Girl calls me 50 times in transit from OKC to Chi Town

"But at least I don't have my bug bites anymore, so I don't look infected." Is a super classy conversation starter.

Although that has nothing to do with anything, I thought it was a funny moment of the morning.

I'm coming up on my last few weeks in Kentucky before I head back to that hell hole known as Texas.
Yes, as you can tell, I am not really looking forward to going back because of how everything ended last semester.

I have dwelled on it a bit, and have come to one simple conclusion: I realized I don't give a fuck.
So instead of being a little bitch about it, I am just going to do my job, play my ass off, and live my life.

On that "live my life" portion, I woke up with a greater sense of self, and decided to get back to things that matter to me musically.

A friend of mine hipped me to "100 Greatest of Blue Note" on Spotify, and it simply rejuvenated me in to playing with heart and facility.  The virtuoso's of our time are jazz players, and I want to get back to that track.

Although I love playing jazz, music is music. I don't have the speed or fluency as many of my fellow musicians, but my ideas and creativity are just as strong, and that is why we all sound different.

Capitalize on your strengths while working on your weaknesses.

Although UNT is a great school, it isn't for everyone.  I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I will either bite down and take it in the ass, or pick my shit up and head back north.  At any rate, I feel like I have to create things to look forward to when I get back.

For example, making some hanging tomato plants with peppers on top. Or starting to ride my bike a lot more often, thus doing bike maintenance. Or starting a new workout routine. I don't know... I know that last part is boring.

Or start my own group and get to fucking jamming.  I'm tired of this mediocrity filled world, time to fucking make some noise.