Ok…anyone who knows me has heard me sound the call to support your local music scene. I (literally) own the button and truly believe it important to support the arts in your local area. What I have failed to say is that sometime doing so will cause you to get hurt…to take one, or two, or twenty, for the team. I took a large blast for the local team this past week at the urging of a friend and I’m thinking that only a large bottle of Captain will fill the wound…or at least initiate the healing process.
Me being me, I have been scratching my head trying to find that wonderful “good thing” about this week’s…ummm…event. So here goes. AT LEAST THE ARTIST (used loosely) was out there doing what she loved even if the crowd was trying to figure out a way to get their drunk on before the 30 minute set was over. To paraphrase an old adage, “nothing is ugly after a 6 pack”.This time I think we needed a keg a piece in order to take the ugly away. But at least she was out there enjoying herself…singing her songs, doing her thing instead of sitting at home wondering what if. Comfort comes in knowing that someday soon my ears will stop bleeding, I know they will.
So, yeah, PLEASE continue to support your local music and arts scene. You may, on occasion, have to dodge a bullet but when you are there when a thing of true beauty comes onto the small stage, you will not forget nor will you regret being there.
I think I am still amazed at the transformations that take place when a loved one is facing death. I have traveled this road recently and am hoping to find the end of mourning so that I can once again celebrate the life that was, that is, that will be.
My writings ended about the time that my dear friend got a shitty diagnosis from his physician…the cancer he had been fighting and seemed to be winning against returned with a vengeance…stage four with a short prognosis for survival. He beat the time clock by a few short months and we celebrated each and every one of those days as they clicked by.
David died in January of this year, defying the odds of making it to the beginning of November 2008. He fought a hard battle and although no longer here, in the flesh, he won. He won through his legacy: The love people express for him, the memories, and his love of music.
I cannot help but think about my dear friend when hearing particular artist and songs such as The Beatles, Rush, Vienna Teng, and Over the Rhine. He lives in every note that these artist play…he hangs on as a memory that I do not want exorcised.
Although we never shared his music together, the only cd I could listen to end-to-end for weeks after David’s death was Matthew Ryan vs The Silver States. I still have not figured that one out yet. Maybe it has something to do with having NOT shared this music together…or possibly themes and notes…?
We recently celebrated the first of David’s birthdays without him. It was weird to say the least. I understand from the hospice personal who work in the same building as I do that the 1st are the hardest after losing a loved one. I really hope it gets easier from here.
I miss you David and think of you all the time…especially through song.
Mo 5/11:Ben Harper & Relentless7 (R 4/17/09)
Tu 5/12: Cold War Kids We 5/13: Brett Dennen
Th 5/14: Operation Aloha
Fr 5/15: Friendly Fires
THE COLBERT REPORT, Comedy Central
Mo 4/6: Razorlight (R 3/10/09)
Tu 4/7: Cursive (R 3/13/09)
We 4/8: Bell X1 (R 3/17/09)
Fr 4/10: U2 (R 3/5/09)
*
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC
Mo 4/6: Raul Malo (R 3/11/09)
Tu 4/7: Prince (R 3/27/09)
We 4/8:, Prince (R 3/25/09)
Th 4/9: Naturally 7 (R 3/18/09)
Fr 4/10: PJ Harvey & John Parish (R 3/24/09)
