I recorded this song during a Live show on BlogTV.com.
Check out my show every Thursday Night at 10:00 PM (Eastern) on BlogTV.Com
www.blogtv.com/people/jamiegray
Thanks for listening.
Category: music
original music by jamie gray
inspiration
It comes from the oddest sources. You may not even know or remember from where.
Most of the time, my inspiration comes from other people. I am inspired when I see someone helping his neighbor. I am inspired by the artwork that is created by others. I am inspired by the way that people triumph in the face of adversity.
I am also inspired by the other side of human nature. By the way that people exploit and take advantage of others. Abuse and injure those around them. Discard acts of kindness and repay others with malice. I am inspired to act…to make a difference. To try to make us all treat each other a little better.
I am inspired by nature, and the beauty that she fill our lives with…and by the seemingly belligerent actions of mankind, spoiling and defacing all that is pristine in our zeal for advancement. I am inspired by our leaps into exploration…and by the short-sightedness of our vision. I am inspired by our leaders…and by their failures to act in a way befitting their position.
I am inspired by all things, and in each there is a lesson and a source of joy. When that lesson becomes a poem, I have found a way to share the inspiration. When that joy becomes a song, I have found a way to pass the good feelings on to those around me.
When I embrace my inspiration. When I am inspired to action. When I have found a way to share my joy or my sorrow.
When I have completed the circle, only then I have honored the source of my inspiration. Perhaps I have also been fortunate enough to inspire others to do the same.
the future, now and then
Every so often, I like to go and dig up some old music and listen. Really listen. I am always amazed at how different it seems now…than it did then.
Then. Where was I when I first heard that? Who was it who introduced me to it? What did I think about life? Where, back then, did I think I would be now?
Today, I’m sitting in my home office, looking out over the small lake that I am grateful and fortunate to live beside. Today, I don’t feel fortunate, as I have just heard that a 14 year old child may have just drowned.
No one knows who the child was…well, someone does. Just no one I have talked to. I don’t even know if it was a boy or a girl. Somehow, I don’t want to know. All I can think about is being 14.
At that age, there is nowhere but the future. All you can think about is what you will do…someday. When you are old enough. When you grow up. The past is just yesterday, and you think of it only because of the plans you made for tomorrow. You never think that tomorrow might not arrive.
So, it’s only 4:30, but I’m pretty sure my work day is done. My focus is gone, and this news is truly overwhelming. I’m resigning myself to reflection and redirection.
Eventually, I’ll probably pick up the guitar, for no other reason than to be one with the music of my own soul. Through each note I’ll try to teach my brain how my heart sees the world, and in some small way maybe I’ll come to a place of understanding.
First I’ll probably check on my son…I’m sure he is OK. He’s 8 years old, and most likely in front of his computer. I’m not worried. I have no reason to be worried.
Still though, not far from where I sit there are parents, no doubt in tears over the tragedy which has just occurred. A few short minutes ago, they probably weren’t worried either. For me, it is a time to count blessings. A time to number the herd. A time to be sure of the things that mean the most.
Later I’ll probably put on some old music…something that reminds me of Then. When I was 14, and the World wouldn’t wait until I was old enough…grown up. When tomorrow would surely come.
it’s about the music
Sorry so long since my last post. The Open Mic the other night was a great time. Plenty of good musicians showed up to sit in, and it became more of a jam-fest than open mic. At our peak, we had a full band…two guitars, drums, bass, and even harmonica/vocals.
Some of the neighborhood kids joined in as well, including one kid on the violin and my own 8 year old on the drum kit. We tried in vain to get some of the girls to sing, but they were more interested in dancing. Oh well…can’t complain about that.
Even more impressive though was how equipment just seemed to show up. Some plywood for the stage, and easy-up to give us some shelter from the sun. We were without a PA for the beginning of the evening, but then even that arrived miraculously.
Most importantly, great fun was had by all…so it looks as if we’ll have to do it again soon! I’ll be sure to post a notice here as soon as the next date is determined. Thanks to everyone for all of the help and efforts to put it all together.
jammin’ on the beach
Tonight I’m hosting an open mic session on the beach. We’re lucky to live on a small lake with it’s own private beach, and even luckier that many of the neighbors are excellent musicians. This is to be the first, (and hopefully not the last) open mic, so everybody has their fingers crossed.
I can remember when I first started playing out. I hit every open mic session I could find. There were some I could never go back to, having thoroughly embarrassed myself. But after awhile, some of those nights actually led to real gigs. Some others were introductions to other musicians. All of them were learning experiences.
These days, I see open mic as a bridge, a way to get back in the habit of playing out. I’ve been playing, and writing and occasionally sitting in here or playing at a party there. But, I haven’t played any real gigs in awhile, and the discipline of practicing everyday because you have upcoming shows…that can’t be simulated.
But also, and more importantly, it’s a chance to play with some new musicians. New faces. New sounds. New experiences. New is good. Inspiration comes from New. Motivation comes from New. All good things come from New.
With luck, New will become a regular thing and it won’t get Old. Old is when it becomes tiresome…more a chore than an adventure. Good things come from Old as well, because nothing New can exist without Old to compare it with…to build from. As long as it isn’t the Same Old.
So, here’s to Old and New. A little bit of Blues. A little bit of Folk. Country. Jazz. Rock & Roll.
It’s all good, ain’t it?