For all musicians out there and the music lovers: When I grew up, life was hard. But I got through it. I would day dream that “Sunshine on My Shoulders” (yes, it is corny) was being sung to me by John Denver. When my family was broken apart, there was the music. When I was deployed to lands far away and I was scared, music kept me grounded. When my father died, there was music. When I hugged my mom for the last time, there was music. Music, besides my sisters, has been the only constant in my life. I loved being a teenager listening to Pink Floyd, The Eagles, and Devo. I loved and love music and it has always been there for me – when I was sad, joyful, lonely, or celebrating. I grew up with music played on a makeshift bandstand in the front yard. I remember every single person in that band and remember how excited I was when the band made up of uncles, brothers, and friends, much older than me played a new Guess Who song. And, after loving one, I know how much they sacrifice for so little. They are driven to create – have to self promote – are constantly barraged by the next scamming shark in the pool -- and get little edification from their peers. It can be a tough life – and they are expected to walk the tough road with no or little pay. But they keep on doing it as they are driven to do so. God just made them this way. When I was young and turned on the radio, I never stopped to think of all that – how the music came about. I was just entertained and the events of my life have forever been marked by songs of the time. Back then, there were record labels that ruled. That is no more. Now, it is you do it on your own because the chance of anyone who does not have mass amounts of money to promote themselves, won’t see their name on a CD. And, also, those who don’t have the money to promote themselves have no chance of making it as an Indie artist. What a crazy life. I have heard it said to some bands, “Can you play for four hours for $100 for the whole band?” Uh, if you have four people in your band, you just get to split $100 four ways, so they rehearse their asses off for $25 each, and with that, they must pay for their gas – not to mention that no one even thinks of the hours of rehearsal put into a show. I know so many of my musician friends on Facebook and have seen your own talents, struggles, and triumphs. I take up your torch because, like the gift of music you all have, I have the ability to use words. So it boils down to this … thank you for giving us something beautiful in this world and for all of your hard work. If you know me at all, you know how much I love music. Gibson Cage, and many like him, have so much talent that they must be heard – I feel that way about all of you out there whom I have had the pleasure of getting to know. I honor you too with my words and want you to know I am grateful as are many, many more people. And yes, I am doing all I can to promote Gibson Cage Southern-Rock because I believe in what he, and those of you out there do, day to day, to brighten and enrich our lives. It should be, “who needs record labels when you have people who love music to make sure you get heard?” Someday, maybe. Until then, I will gladly promote, promote, promote – not just for Gibson, but all those out there who need it to be heard. Now, a shout out to those from my childhood who brought me great music: Allen Calhoun, Steve Yazell, Gibby Streets, Mike Wicks, Todd Ingerson, Stan Brill, and local celebrities from Northern NY, Joe Bouchard and Albert Bouchard. And thank you David Gilmore for my first crush. Oh, Dale Russell, I just loved the "Guess Who" so thanks. The New Mother Nature/No Sugar Tonight mix is the greatest ever! Peace and harmony, -- Sharie Calhoun
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 02:27:45 +0000
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