I had lunch the other day with someone I have known in the
business for awhile. It’s interesting how many levels you can get to know
someone over the years – especially if you stay in the industry. This person used to be my record rep for a Nashville label, and now he's doing the same job I used to do, and also has become a close friend in the business. Relationships and friendships endure.... I guess, to
some extent, that is what is called being a survivor.
One of the topics we were discussing was “If you had the
chance to change your destiny…..and do something totally different….would you?”
I will be the first to admit that the music / entertainment business sometimes
doesn’t make a lot of sense. Security? Uh….That is, what? And, though Taylor
and Tim make some pretty good dough, I don’t think that anybody does radio,
journalism, songwriting, or performing to get rich. Simply put, most of the
artists that you are watching climb the charts right now aren’t making a lot of
money. Unless you can get to the third or fourth album, you spend your first
two (hopefully) paying the record company back for their investment.
During the scope of our conversation, I had mentioned that
the night before I was grocery shopping. I happened to see a young couple with
two kids – and I began to wonder how it would be to change places. I’ve written
before about my dislike for the single status, and the hope that I have that
someday that changes. I’ve got to be honest. There was a little bit of envy.
These people probably didn’t have to worry about their jobs after leaving at 4
or 5 in the afternoon, weekends were weekends, and life was simple…or so I
think (Everything is more simple when you’re on the outside looking in).
After thinking about it for a minute or two…or maybe thirty, I
came to this realization. That’s not who I was meant to be….at least not now.
Since 1991, I have had the blessing of being able to do something that I love
doing – whether that be radio or journalism. While the latter was something
that I only started doing about fifteen years ago, I think I have demonstrated
a flair for it.
At the end of the day, I love being able to tell you about…..why
you need to know that a man named Don Rich played guitar and fiddle for Buck Owens
for sixteen years…..why Conway Twitty (as revered as he is) is still one of the
most underrated performers of all time….why Lee Ann Womack’s There’s More Where That Came From is one
of the best albums that Byron Gallimore (or Nashville) has ever produced…..why
the Oak Ridge Boys are going into the Hall of Fame…and why Buddy Killen should
be…soon. Also, I love getting to be a small part of stories like Mo Pitney, Brett
Eldredge, and Mickey Guyton – and telling you why should know about them, too.
At the end of the day, whether I have been blessed with
talent in my profession or not is debatable…..but passion? I ooze with that
each day. There’s not a day that goes by in my career that I don’t give thanks
for when I get up in the morning. I am not tooting a horn per se. I think I am
good at what I do….but I’m not the historian that Robert K. Oermann or Eddie
Stubbs are…though I try…..My heart is fairly big, or so I think, but I’m no
match for the compassion that Deborah Evans Price puts forth in her stories,
and I am nowhere near as funny or as confident as radio people like Ryan McCall
or Hunter Kelly. Even at Billboard, Tom Roland is 100 percent more savvier than
I am, and the term “utter brilliance” only begins to define my feelings and
admiration for the work of Phyllis Stark. I will never put myself in their
leagues on those levels, but passion. Yep, I’ve got that as much as anyone…
Don’t get me wrong. I still want the happy ending personally…..but
truth be told, it’s not that bad right now. A few years ago, Brad Paisley and
Chely Wright wrote a song called ‘Hard To Be A Husband, Hard To Be A Wife.” I
was listening to it the other day while going through boxes of CD’s after a
recent move. The lyrics are absolutely true. I’ve been there. And….I’ve never
sang or played a note….professionally, that is. For right now, that’s my life….but
also, for the first time, you’ll hear no complaints…..
I write all this to say that I count it my blessing….and my
calling to do what I do…..and as long as God provides me with the outlet, the
canvas……I will do my best to uphold my end of the bargain.
Well, got to go prepare for some interviews next week. And,
there’s a new female artist named Shantell Ogden that I think you’re going to
like…..and ‘Nashville’ star Chris Carmack is the real deal…..and Ronnie Dunn is
working on new music. You need to know about all three…..and just as
importantly, I need to tell you….
