It’s been a long time since I’ve written a post. Like most, my life has changed since the beginning of the pandemic. I’ve avoided writing because my inclination was to whine about things and I know you have your things to whine about too. And I think we’re all a little tired of it.
On a happier note: it’s been two years since we lost our house in a fire. As many of you know it was a total loss. But we are getting comfortable in our new home and putting the inconvenience of the loss behind us. Of course, building a new home during a pandemic had its challenges, but that’s all behind us now.
Last year I retired from performing. That was a decision that my wife and I had been discussing for a couple of years. The pandemic just forced the issue. However my heart broke for my many friends who couldn’t work for over a year. It wasn’t just the economics of it. They truly love to perform and were being prevented. I’m thrilled to see them getting back at it. I’m pretty sure nearly everyone is ready to go and hear live music again.
The world of classical music is coming out again. With the exception of large organizations (opera companies, orchestras, etc.) a concert is a pretty easy thing to produce. When the big, arena rock, pop, country, and hip-hop acts go out they take truck loads of equipment and an army of people to give a great show. By contrast, when I gave a concert/recital I took a briefcase full of odds and ends and my guitar. Set-up time was usually about 15 minutes. Yeah, okay, my audience was usually about 100 folks or so, and the big kids are playing to about 40 thousand, but still…..
For this reason and concerns about covid, vaccinations, and the ensuing controversy, many tours were cancelled and others are promoted with restrictions. If you are comfortable, please attend. Odds are the headliner doesn’t need the money, but the dozens and dozens of people that work behind the scenes do.
But more importantly, support your local musicians. Go to local concerts, go have a beer and enjoy the band, host a house concert, buy their merchandise. And while we’re on the subject, support other local artists too. With the holidays coming and supply lines restricted consider buying gifts from local painters, potters, etc. If you’re lucky enough to have a community theater then treat yourself to a night out.
Like I said, our lives have changed. But maybe we can come out of this with a new attitude toward life, social responsibility, and community involvement. We can all think of all of the reasons this pandemic has been awful. And we shouldn’t forget it. But if we do this right, perhaps we can make some good from it too. I was taught many years ago, never waste a good crisis.