The RPM Challenge

Requiem

Friday, 30 May 2008

I've been highly reflective over the last several weeks. Stories have come to mind I haven't thought about in years. I had a revelations dropped in my lap that stirred them up. I was told that if I didn't improve my lifestyle (drop weight, get active, live better), I would be dead in few weeks. I felt they were right when I allowed myself to think about it. It is at this turning point that you wonder what the hell happened to that vibrant kid that was full of...life. I was one of those that didn't marry until I was in my thirties. I was out there. But, I didn't attain what I was after, especially in music.

There were some very deep cats with some unbeleivable resumes that took and interest in me. Some of these same cats kept me in the background and MIGHT throw me a bone every now and then. A minute of two to play in front, then I was directed off stage...quickly. I was approached by other bands, solo acts, producers to break out and pursue my own thing. Really, they wanted me in thier background too. Its hard to know who to trust in these matters. I made the wrong choices. That happens to many of us.

Mostly, I had low self esteem and several knew it. There was a mass exodus to Austin from Dallas; musicians trying to make it, but that train left a long time ago. Besides, I wasn't confident enough to make the move. Now that I have been putting myself back together, I have to mourn the losses and blaze the trail for the future. That will be next Challenge. Technically, I have learned alot since the days of old. That intensity in my playing has long since died. I WILL bring it back to life. NO, I'm not going to dye my hair, buy a sports car and start chasing young chics...unless someone here is interested...then I'll ask my wife if I can step out for a few hours. Seriously, I never really put it down like I could have back when I had passion, and a lack of direction. Need to ride the comet again before I call it quits. By next years' RPM, I will be ready. It will probably be Baby's Last Ride.

Lyndell

Comments (6)

1 Similar Boat...
Written by Cabo Joe and Chop-Chop, on 05-30-2008 10:46
I'm in a similar boat. And just this last weekend I found a cassette that I made in the early 90s. My sound was more innovative then and it totally bummed me out... at first. But, then I realized that there is no reason i can go back and try that sound and try to improve it. So, that is my challenge.

2 Written by Michelangelo, on 05-30-2008 11:41
I find passion in many things -- but living life is what's it all about. Passion for life but above all what we all need to do is start taking control of society instead of it taking control of us. That sounds very hard but in truth it simply means "get involved". Use your passion for something: get active in some local issue and refuse to "not be heard"; volunteer at a charity you feel good about; sell the TV and free up more hours then you can imagine; when you curl up at night feel the warmth of the one you curl up with, bask in it, live in it -- it can make EVERYTHING all right.

The passion for those things becomes passion for life which becomes passion for music. It becomes spiritual.

3 Written by One Inch From Midget, on 05-30-2008 12:41
I believe you never lose music, you only misplace it. Its always there, waiting patiently for you to return. When I graduated from college, I taught music for a grand total of 4 months..I thought it was all dead for me when that failed. Then, about 10 years later a guitar came into my life and I woke up again. And then music said "Nice to see ya again...wanna play?" Each note, each breath, each sound is precious. That's what I relearn every day or so...

4 Written by Babys First Ride, on 05-31-2008 13:10
The music isn't gone for me. But I want to capture that time in my early life when the flow was on full blast. There's a phrase that keeps playing in my head. Temple of the Dog, "You gotta reach down, and pick the crowd up" I know NOW I could have done that THEN, do I am going to do today, uh well in Feb 09

5 Michelangelo
Written by Sister Savage, on 05-31-2008 14:31
"...when you curl up at night feel the warmth of the one you curl up with, bask in it, live in it -- it can make EVERYTHING all right."

And you say you don't write lyrics!?

6 Mick
Written by Babys First Ride, on 06-01-2008 13:51
She has a point. Maybe that can be a spoken passage in a new peice of music.

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