Pirates and Musicians
I never realized it before, but recently, the thought crossed my mind that pirates and musicians have a lot in common. They’re both treasure hunters of sorts — sailing uncharted waters, studying old maps, traveling long distances, turning over rocks, and looking for something extraordinary. They are both on a quest to find something of value and the journey begins long before the sails are set. Every quest starts with a burning quest(ion), or several, like “Who’s out there?” “What’s out there?” “When will we leave?” “How will we know when we’ve arrived?” “Where is the treasure buried?” And “Why not?” It’s this need to know the who, what, when, where, why, and how that lights a spark in their eyes and fuels a desire to find the answers.
However, while they’re looking in the distance, they soon find out that the treasure is closer than they thought. It’s all around and comes in many forms — bright stars in the night sky that lead the way, sunrises that paint the morning sky and offer a chance to begin again, winds of change that keep them moving from one place to the next. Of course, there are other kinds of treasures that excite them as well — like gold coins, jewels, or cash in the tip jar. But by far, the biggest treasure they discover is in the people they meet — those who coexist with them on the same spinning planet. These people make them laugh. They inspire them with their stories. They sing along to their songs. Most of all, they remind them that none of us are alone and we are more alike than different.
It used to be that many pirate ships traveled with a musician or two onboard. On long journeys, the monotony of days and nights spent on a ship resulted in boredom and frustration. The musician’s job was to keep up the spirits of the crew and spread a little romantic hope, the warm fuzzy kind. If music could ease the tension between a bunch of unruly pirates and lift their moods on the darkest of days, think of the power it has in our modern-day world. Music reaches places in the human heart where nothing else can touch.
This is why I perform music. There are a million players and singers that are much more skilled and accomplished than I am. But the music doesn’t care about all that. It takes what I have and creates something better. I just have to be willing to do my part.
In a world where careers, security, and credit scores define a person’s worthiness, it may appear that I’m just getting by, gig to gig, existing on the fringes of society until I find a real job. But I see it differently. I’m living a life of service the best way I know, and the rewards are worth more than silver and gold.
Here is a snapshot of a few people I’ve met lately who inspire me just by being who they are.
The Hollywood Star
She dresses in heels and a polka dress with an oversized pink bow holding her long blond ponytail — an appearance worthy of a rock-a-billy calendar girl. Her voice and stage presence are captivating. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She not only sang the song, but she also became the song. As her husband smiled and strummed along on his Gretsch guitar, she sent flirty glances to him while she sang. Last I heard, they were living in a tent. But, for a few hours on the weekend, in a smokey bar with a handful of people listening, she’s a Hollywood star.
The Rock Singer
On Tuesday nights, in the lower level of the bar where we play a weekly Happy Hour show, there is karaoke. I’ve never really had much interest in karaoke before, but we have a lot of friends who love to sing, so we go downstairs to say hello and listen for a while. A while back, a young man walked up and took the microphone. He reminded me of one of the guys from the Duck Dynasty. He was thin, with a shaggy beard, missing a few teeth, and wearing a flannel shirt, jeans, and work boots. When I heard him sing, I was stunned. The pure, raw talent in his voice cut straight to my heart. He sang a Creedence Clearwater Revival song that would have made John Fogerty proud. I thought to myself, Why is he not famous? The Rockstar Gods must not know about him. I’ve heard him sing several times since and every time, I am in awe. Just an ordinary guy, singing in a small bar. I’m the lucky one.
The Merch Girl
He was playing his guitar on stage, singing his original songs. I liked his style. I have an affinity for singer/songwriters. He encouraged the small audience to buy some of the t-shirts, hats, CDs, and stickers he had for sale. Then he introduced the pretty young girl who was manning his merch table. He said they had just met several hundred miles ago in Austin, Texas. Apparently, she asked him where he was headed the next day. He told her the name of the town, and she said, “I’ll go.” This continued day after day, town after town. I loved her free spirit, and it spoke to my own. Just jump in and go. Why not? I gave her a hug and my heartfelt wishes that she enjoy every minute, and every adventure, wherever the music leads.
People are people. They laugh, cry, feel, love, and fill the world with love and beauty like an overflowing treasure chest. It doesn’t take a lot of digging to find these jewels either, just look around.
