Everyone is NOT a Star

Have you noticed with the invention of reality television shows like American Idol that suddenly everyone is a star? It seems even my hair dresser has a Christmas “CD” that she has produced and is selling on her website. I feel this is utter insanity.

 

The truth is that talent, true talent is rare. Not everyone who thinks they can sing or perform is Hollywood or Broadway bound. There are the few exceptions, but I am so tired of everyone thinking they are a “star.”

 

I guess I have Hannah Montana to blame. Good ole Miley Cyrus with her gravely teenage voice has convinced a whole generation that they are superstars. Uggg.

 

I know from where I speak. I was performing from an early age and played my first paid gig when I was eleven. I went to the top of where I could go in Clearwater, Florida and had to move on somewhere else when I got to high school.

 

The solution was that I went to North Carolina School of the Arts. In the 1980’s this was a totally different animal then it is today. It was a true conservatory. I ate, slept and worked everyday at music. I soon realized I was but a drop of talent in a vast ocean of even greater talent. I was humbled.

 

There are local arts schools run by people that had talent, had their fifteen minutes of fame and now make their money promising children stardom. These kids get starry eyed and slack brained. Many of these kids become homeschooled. What is that all about? Even if these kids have talent, do they want to be illiterate, socially retarded artists? Believe me there are plenty of those out there.

 

Who is to blame, the charlatans that are shoveling out these ridiculous promises or the parents that are squandering their child’s academic and collegiate future in the hopes of a bit part in a sitcom or a 30 second commercial spot. Maybe they truly believe in the term “starving artist.”

 

My solution? Following your dreams and have a back up plan. Get out of town and experience what is out in the rest of the world. NEVER EVER read your own press because family and friends will ALWAYS think you are a star. And for those home school kids- GO TO SCHOOL! Go to prom, try out for the football team or cheerleading squad and get a grip on reality. Turn off Idol and Dancing with the Stars and bury your head in a good novel.

Tonight, Tonight It all gets played tonight

Tonight is the big concert- Rossini and Tchaik, I play in your general direction (This is for Monty Python Fans). Rehearsal, food, concert, after party, sleep about 1 Am. Whew!!!

I am also finishing 20k in the wild Wine book. It is shaping up quite nicely! I am quite excited about it. I still need contributors. So if you have made wine, or drink a lot of wine, send me an email!!!! Drjohnnd@hotmail.com.

I hope to chapter 3 of Erl King up next week. It is also shaping up quite nicely. Let me go practice on my twig. (ok you dirty minded people- I play a wooden piccolo…..never mind!)

 

John

Bang on!

I am sitting through a rehearsal thinking about the universe of energy, as drums are tapped and cymbals are pummeled, while gongs are shook out of their slumber. It is quite backdrop for creating Law of Attraction Flash Cards. It is quite surreal. It reminds of the feeling that I had watching Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline”. There is definitely layers of reality and I believe music and sound vibrate seamlessly through all of them.

I am excited to play the piccolo solos in Rossini’s Overture to La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie) and to finish the evening with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #5 in e minor, Op. 64 which is a devil of a piece on flute and piccolo. I have my work cut out for me. I will try to post sound bites of the concert next week.

You know I may have to treat myself to a late night snack after all of that. I really want some Thai!

If anyone reading this does home winemaking please look at my site,

http://tinyurl.com/dap3af, about participating as a case study.