Re: American Idol Thoughts

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:08 pm

Quote:Quote:Cool story, Ern. What if the Beatles had given up because someone insulted or rejected them?The Beatles were at the end of their rope. They had been together for some time, did the Hamburg sex, drugs, and R & R thing, they were stymied. Martin said, gotta change your image guys. No more leather. Get matching haircuts and nifty suits. Lennon said, "I'll do anything, I've about had it." Martin heard Please, Please Me, and said, "no good, go do a rewrite." The Beatles put their heart and soul, one more time, and cranked out the version we hear today. The rest is history. But they were still young.A lot of bands keep going that extra mile, about to give up, after years of rejection. Some make it others don't. It's hard to keep grabbing that rainbow as you get older. All of a sudden, life is passing you by. You're missing out on kids, ballgames, relaxing on weekends, etc. Most older musicians I have talked to that still are turning their wheels, are emotionally and mentally spent. They can't talk about anything but music, can't even carry on a normal conversation. Ya gotta start your road relatively at a young age. You're going to need it. because when you're older, the energy is gone, the music you play is obsolete, and your skin is getting all wrinkled! Sacrifice is a lot easier when you're young.I remember a major audition for side musicians for a known rock/pop singer. Looking for players in their late 20's, early 30's. All these guitar players in the 40's showed up, some in their 50's - shaggy haircuts, weathered faces, paunches, etc. it was sad to watch. They were all pretty good but the parade had passed them years ago. Life is WAY to short to keep beating a dead horse.Ya have a very small window to do what you want to do.I disagree with you here, Shaka. Yeah, it helps to be young when you're trying to break into the music business, but you can't discount all older people who are just starting out. I've read that creativity actually improves with age....you sort of go through what they call a 'second childhood'....you're more willing to experiment again like you did as a child. Agatha Christie started writing novels in her 60's, Granma Moses started painting in her 70's, and Johnny Cash got even better as he aged.

booker · Post by **booker** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:35 pm

I dunno Chits... I gotta go with Shakabrah on this. Being in that "older" category, He's hit the nail on the head as far as I go. Traveling was much easier in my 20's and 30's, before kids. Now, I hate spending time away from them, but they are a huge distraction when I bring them to a gig. My energy level is way down too. I do agree that mentally I'm a much better writer and player than before, but without the drive and stamina, it's not as satisfying.

hummingbird · Post by **hummingbird** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:12 pm

Quote:Ya have a very small window to do what you want to do.If that's what you believe, believe it, and stop playing on your 30th birthday or your 40th birthday or whatever number you've decided creativity should be sacrificed to 'growing up' and 'being responsible'.There was a time, not so long ago, where live expectancy was 40 and you were lucky to make that. Now, most healthy people can live to their 80s and beyond. My parents are both in their 80s & pretty vibrant with it, too.That means, at age 30 - after you've been an adult for just 10 years, you can look forward to 40 more years of vibrant living. I refuse to believe that art created at 28 has more value than art created at 48 or 58 or 88. Oh, but you say, the music industry is only interested in those first 10 years of adult life, so get off the pot. I say - look around. There are people making music in choirs, in schools, in lessons, in studios, in coffee shops, in bars, on street corners... they do it cause they love it. I guess they didn't get the message that wrinkles mean creativity and joy in music should stop. I guess they didn't get the message that looking old means you have nothing to offer anyone. I guess they didn't get the message that being over 30 means dead. I personally like to think outside the box and believe that it is quite possible to be intelligent, creative, articulate, beautiful and lively and also be over 30.

ernstinen · Post by **ernstinen** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:50 pm

Right On, Vicki, my favorite Hummingbird! Well said ---One of my fave heroes is Stravinsky, who moved to L.A. when he was older. His wife got him out of bed and made his compose every weekday.That's what I do! (Not that I'm THAT old!).BTW, I FINALLY got word that my "Elegy" is going to be released on CD soon (recorded by the Kiev Philharmonic). I'll let y'all know ---Ern

michael11 · Post by **michael11** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:22 pm

Quote:Rockinthebox, I missed AI again, but I have to admit, I don't watch it that much anyway. Mick, yeah, I hear the Irish and the British like American country and bluegrass music....since the roots of American country seem to be Irish folk music, I guess that's why. I guess I could get BBC radio by my computer, maybe I'll have to check that out sometimes. Ricky Skaggs is unbelievable. My husband plays the banjo, but not LIKE THAT. Somehow, I can't imagine 'ole Ricky doing Cockney Ryyming Slang.....that would crack me up.I agree, Lonestar's "Amazed" is unbelievable......so the Brits like Garth too? Hi J,(be more friendly if we had a name to respond to Garth was very big over here as part of the New Country thing at the time,Garth,Ricky ,Steve Earle etc etc and of course to see Ricky play guitar on Country Boy was quite something!!At about the same time I had the pleasure of seeing some of my writing hero's live,a couple of them being Dean Dillon and Paul Overstreet.How's your writing comming along.Mick.

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:19 am

Mick, you can call me Chits (I think that's what you're saying). My real last name is Chitty, believe it or not, just like Ian Fleming's "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." My writing's coming along pretty good. I've written almost 70 songs....just have to find the funds to have them demoed or find a way to demo them with my less than stellar guitar skills. I written with another co-writer who's a very skilled guitarist, but he works twelve hour days and has 3 kids, so his time is pretty limited right now.Rockinthebox, I see what you're saying, but I don't want to limit myself because I'm over 40. I'd get depressed if I thought I couldn't create my music and pitch it some way. Being a songwriter is probably the best thing for me....I don't have to worry so much about looking a certain way (in this youth oriented business) if I'm not going to sing. I'll sing mainly to make demos and showcase my songs, but I don't expect to be an artist. I think Hummingbird makes some valid points here when she says life expectancy is longer now, and people can be vibrant and creative well into old age now. You just can't limit yourself.Anyway, y'all have a nice weekend.

arkjack · Post by **arkjack** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:24 am

I watched Nashville Star last night... it is so much more a professional presentation .... Blake actually was telling Whitney last night he was concerned about her voice sounding pitchy.....

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:35 am

Quote:I watched Nashville Star last night... it is so much more a professional presentation .... Blake actually was telling Whitney last night he was concerned about her voice sounding pitchy..... Missed Nashville Star again last night. Dang.

booker · Post by **booker** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:09 am

I hope you guys/gals aren't getting the wrong idea... I don't think anyone that's creative should ever stop doing what they love regardless of age. Chitts, are you saying that writing would be less satisfying if you didn't pitch? Just wanted to clarify what you are saying.

jchitty · Post by **jchitty** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:28 pm

Quote:I hope you guys/gals aren't getting the wrong idea... I don't think anyone that's creative should ever stop doing what they love regardless of age. Chitts, are you saying that writing would be less satisfying if you didn't pitch? Just wanted to clarify what you are saying. Hey, Rock, I will admit that writing would be less satisfying for me if I didn't pitch my songs mainly because that's my main goal, to be a songwriter with a hit song on the radio or other public venue. I love to write songs, but I want to be heard as well....don't want them sitting in a closet. If I were a musician, I might be content with singing to people on a local level, but I don't have the skills to do that right now, although I'm contemplating teaming up with a co-writer who plays guitar well. I can sing a bit, so we have talked about doing open mic night. I have a five year plan myself. If I don't drum up any interest in my songs, then I'm sure I'll have to reassess (sp?) and be content with writing for myself. By then, maybe my guitar skills will improve, and I can sing at small gatherings. That's a luxury that musicians have....a songwriter who can't play doesn't have the tools to be heard on a local level. I'd also be less than honest if I said I didn't care if I got a shot at that brass ring....that's why I joined TAXI. However, I also know that I may never get to that goal. Like anyone else, I'll have to accept that it just wasn't meant to be. Gonna try like hell though.