Making Time
Growing up, I remember admiring this guy that wrote songs, played guitar and sang. He did the whole band thing and invested in synthesizers and drum machines. He fell in love, got married and became a banker or something. I remember asking him how his music was going after he got his job and he said that he had one night a week devoted to it. I wonder how long that lasted once he got married.
It seems to be a common journey for musicians. I have become the same and know many others with the same story. While most originally had dreams of having a career as a songwriter/musician, we are content with what we have become. But doesn’t it seem a waste for God to give out so much talent and have it be drowned out by things like reality television and Bunco Night?
I’m not saying to quit your job and leave your family to pursue your life-long dream of being a rock star but be responsible with the gifts God has given you. Make time to develop your talent and give it back to Him however you see fit. For me, I am trying to write songs that can be used by the local church. I’ve never done that before and it is much harder than it sounds. I’ve also done more music this week than I have in several months — three whole nights. Next week should slow down as I have to practice some 80’s music but look for new mp3s soon!
August 13th, 2005 at 8:50 am
as the son of a musician i appreciate the sacrifice my dad made. he never gave up music but it moved down on his priority list and caring for his family moved up. i can never remember a time he truly gave it up but i know he wanted to do more of it. that is why “the predictors” were born. now his musical outlet are the worship teams he plays on.
don’t give up the dream it will happen
August 15th, 2005 at 9:05 am
I was an outstanding musician when I was younger. In high school I played most of the brass instruments and played guitar at a level where I could play anything on the radio, or if I sat in with a band all they had to do was call the key changes. I wanted to major in music in college, but there was no appeal in a music teacher’s salary and the dedication required was more than my 18-year-old mind could handle. Instead I went wild and blew my academic scholarship in one semester.
I played very little during the rest of college because I had to work at night to pay for it. (and oh I paid for it) Then I got married and quit playing altogether because my wife didn’t enjoy the noise required during practice. To this day she thinks you’re supposed to pick up a guitar and just start playing songs. (cause that’s what they do on TV)
I wasted a decade of my talent before I decided to get “serious” about music again. Now I have a small studio full of gear that I rarely get time for. I had a good year there where I was writing and recording, but then the baby came along. I work all day, come home and take the baby so my wife can get some time, and then it’s 9pm. From 9pm to 5am I get to do whatever I want; which is mostly sleep by the time I serve everyone else all day. The scraps of the day just don’t make good creative time.
I desperately want to quit my job and produce music. I’d love to run a non-profit where kids could come learn to play music and record music. But I can’t just walk away from a six figure income to go be philanthropic. I’m pretty sure my mortgage company wouldn’t understand.
For now I am visualizing my plan. I am working on a business case, researching non-profits, and figuring out how to invest my money in a way that will allow me to go out and chase those dreams. And my musical hunger still feeds off the scraps of the day. It beats starving to death.