Re: Moral Support for Songwriters

teamgreen · Post by **teamgreen** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:20 pm

John: Very sorry to hear the news about your mom. It’s hard to lose a loved one, especially around the holidays. Both of my parents died close to a holiday, and I miss them both terribly, especially my mom who was (and still is, I like to think) my biggest fan. I spent a long time believing that that when she died, part of the music died too, because she was so much a part of it. I put a lock on my heart and my creativity for too long. Only recently (October) did I open up to the feelings and, with the help of my husband, wrote an instrumental piece in her honor. We finished the song on her birthday in late Nov. and submitted it to a listing the following week. The day after Christmas we found out the song had been forwarded…our first TAXI forward. Too awesome. Music is the way our hearts work and help us to process life, and it never fails that our best work comes from our deepest emotions. So I guess I’m just suggesting that you use your music to work through some of your grief instead of just trapping it inside. Using your gifts is the best way to honor your mom and it allows her live on inside of you as well as through your music. Hang tough.Ephlat66: Og Mandino wrote “The Greatest Salesman in the World”. That book was given to me by a friend for my 18th birthday (many, many years ago) and it changed my life. A “must-read” for anyone looking for some motivation and tools for positive self-thought. Glad you mentioned it.MJ

yod · Post by **yod** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:23 pm

Talk about your unsupportive spouse??? My wife gets in a real good mood the day before I leave on tour. I'm actually grateful though...I think it's a good thing that she doesn't get impressed. I like having a semi-normal family life when I get home. Her indifference to the music keeps me humble (sort of) and focused on the really important things in life.

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:13 am

I'd like to post an update to my thread concerning environmental illness. I know it's not music related, but I just would like to promote some awareness of the issue. Today, FEMA issued a statement that people living in trailers along the Gulf Coast need to leave those trailers because of very high levels of formaldehyde which can cause all kinds of illness and respiratory problems.Here's a link to the breaking news article:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080214/ap_ ... c_trailers

squids · Post by **squids** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:29 am

Lots of sick folks down here. It's sad, especially in light of the fact that we've been complaining about it for two years and they spent about that much time denying there was anything wrong. Okay, back to the thread. Interesting discussion!I'd like to add that my husband actually told me I had a really nice voice the other day so I'm celebrating! Ooh, and it's Valentine's Day! Happy V-Day to all who have a partner, to those who don't but are looking and to those who don't and aren't looking. We're all our own Valentines.

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:45 am

Quote:Lots of sick folks down here. It's sad, especially in light of the fact that we've been complaining about it for two years and they spent about that much time denying there was anything wrong. Okay, back to the thread. Interesting discussion!I'd like to add that my husband actually told me I had a really nice voice the other day so I'm celebrating! Ooh, and it's Valentine's Day! Happy V-Day to all who have a partner, to those who don't but are looking and to those who don't and aren't looking. We're all our own Valentines. I'm guessing the government denied it 'coz they didn't want any lawsuits, plus, the people who manufacture these products wouldn't want it to get out 'coz it's bad for biz, if you know what I mean. And course, those trailers were all they had to offer folks.Your hubby is very lucky to have you, and Happy Valentine's Day to you too.That was very sweet of him to tell you that. I can understand, if I was a family member, you'd be like a radio to me...I'd ask you to sing everyday!

lopc · Post by **lopc** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:15 pm

My first wife (of twenty years), was endeared to me originally because I was the lead singer in a pretty good rock group. She never missed a show and never forgot to let anyone know at the gig that I was hers. Got married, got ragged on about me playing too much music and not making enough money, quit playing, got a job, 15 years later she thinks a certain musician is her dream come true, we split. Go figure. Lesson learned, don't let it totally consume you, don't by any means walk away from it. Your husband got a handle on it from what I'm hearing, and your friends are just that. Your friends. They will support you if you let them. Sometimes people have a new baby and people are a little put off when all conversation centers around that. You can be the person that originally endeared them all and still pursue the dream. Heck, my new wife (of eighteen years) doesn't encourage nor discourage me in this drive to do what I have always wanted to do. She just understands, and we and my friends don't discuss it much. That's what you guys are here for. Support and understanding.Welcome.Later.

ibanez468 · Post by **ibanez468** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:17 pm

Hey telaak,I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I'll be praying for you. Be strong my man.As far as support from my family...zero...nada...zilch...absolutely nothin'...I've been doin' this too long to even care...Whenever I mention to my mother...like chits' mother-in-law, she'll change the subject. So I definitely don't do much talkin' to her about it. I decided some time ago, that I was really only gonna' associate with folks that were musicians, producers, singers, etc...because we're all usually on the same page. For me, to try and make friends with folks that don't have the same interest as I, musically, has usually turned out to be either useless, worthless, and sometimes even costly. So I'm very careful in this day & age about the people I associate with. If you're not one of the above mentioned type of folks, we're probably not gonna' be seein' much of each other. And in most cases, that's fine with me. I've trimmed alot of energy draining, dream stealin', time consuming folks from my life over the years. I feel alot better these days because of it.I've got my focus on something else. Everybody's got their focus on whatever it is they've got their focus on. Don't feel guilty or less than because your focus is where it is. Stand your ground...if this is your passion, don't let anyone sway you from it. Sometimes, people's motives are to sway others from their passion(s), because they have none of their own, or might secretly be trying to sabotage your passion(s) for fear of you possibly advancing and moving forward, and no longer having a need for them. I've been down that road quite a number of times in the past. When I finally stopped allowing it to happen, all was well with me. People have all kinds of motives for what they do when it comes to circumstances like this. All I can say is...don't empower them. Keep your power for yourself! Oftentimes, tough to do, but almost always necessary. My .02.ibanez468

squids · Post by **squids** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:19 pm

Quote:Hey telaak,I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I'll be praying for you. Be strong my man.As far as support from my family...zero...nada...zilch...absolutely nothin'...I've been doin' this too long to even care...Whenever I mention to my mother...like chits' mother-in-law, she'll change the subject. So I definitely don't do much talkin' to her about it. I decided some time ago, that I was really only gonna' associate with folks that were musicians, producers, singers, etc...because we're all usually on the same page. For me, to try and make friends with folks that don't have the same interest as I, musically, has usually turned out to be either useless, worthless, and sometimes even costly. So I'm very careful in this day & age about the people I associate with. If you're not one of the above mentioned type of folks, we're probably not gonna' be seein' much of each other. And in most cases, that's fine with me. I've trimmed alot of energy draining, dream stealin', time consuming folks from my life over the years. I feel alot better these days because of it.I've got my focus on something else. Everybody's got their focus on whatever it is they've got their focus on. Don't feel guilty or less than because your focus is where it is. Stand your ground...if this is your passion, don't let anyone sway you from it. Sometimes, people's motives are to sway others from their passion(s), because they have none of their own, or might secretly be trying to sabotage your passion(s) for fear of you possibly advancing and moving forward, and no longer having a need for them. I've been down that road quite a number of times in the past. When I finally stopped allowing it to happen, all was well with me. People have all kinds of motives for what they do when it comes to circumstances like this. All I can say is...don't empower them. Keep your power for yourself! Oftentimes, tough to do, but almost always necessary. My .02.ibanez468Well, color me a non-musician friend! I'm about 3/4 that anyway. We'll, like, I don't know, whatever it is they do. (Take meetings? Do lunch? ) You know, whateva that is.