Here’s a scenario familiar to some of you I’m sure: Large gathering, friends and family, lots of boisterous conversation about nothing in particular. Off in a quiet corner — smiling, content and largely ignored — sits Granddad who contributes the odd granddad joke, answers the occasional patronising question and smiles graciously when acknowledged. He is loved, remembered fondly — even though he is alive and kicking — but in effect is largely irrelevant.
That is how I often feel when it comes to my music.
I’m occasionally recognised for, and invited to comment on, songs I recorded over 40 years ago. But anything I might have done since — and continue you to do now — is pretty much ignored.
I’m not alone in this, time moves on, tastes change, youth and celebrity rule. So I’m more bemused than miffed by my ‘use-by’ date.
Furthermore, life has been good to me — despite some accursed health issues in recent times.
As well, I note that I’m increasingly being streamed all over the world, which, while not making me rich, is rewarding in another way.
However, as I sit pondering the fifty odd new songs I have written in recent years, I find myself torn between the need to record them for posterity, or to just remain quiet like granddad in the corner and drift off contentedly into happy irrelevance.
The dilemma, essentially, is deciding whether recording at my age and stage in life would be an artistic legacy or an expensive hobby.
What do you think?
PS: Please send this blog on to anyone you know who might be interested.
PSS: To hear songs I’ve recorded over the last 40 years, just go to the music page on this site and stream songs off any of the albums there. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Hi Grandad in the corner, what if you passed away but were present in another form at your own funeral. You see your family crying over you, your grandies asking questions about your life and the influence in them you unknowingly placed in their hearts.
But unexpectedly more and more came in and sat down with great sadness in their eyes.
The seats filled up, but they still came in two by two, by families, by music legends in a never seen before parade of music talent.
The music started John, not a hymn, but one of your songs John. Everyone stood, they began to sing your song. They got louder and louder as the chorus played. The singing began to take on a song on its own as the people turned to the back of the room. The singing from outside was absolutely deafening. Everybody that had ever heard your music, sung your music and played your music were there in song, for you John, for you mate.
Thousands upon thousands of people you didn’t even know they existed. But they were there as your music had influenced their lives in ways you couldn’t have even imagined.
We are all hereJohn, we are here for you and your music NOW!! Not when you become Grandad in the corner, WE WANT TO ENJOY LIFE WITH YOU NOW JOHN NOW’
Sing your music, play your songs for they live in us every day mate.
We are out here wanting, waiting for your music. It’s ok to be Grandad in the corner John , but a Grandad with no regrets. We are outside now John, sing your songs and we will too
Thanks for such considered words, Terry. they are uplifting 🙂 I will do as you advise.
Hi John. I have at least two albums completed in the past few years since the release of my last CD, Silverfox five or six years ago. They sit on a hard drive and mostly are only ever listened to by me and a few close friends. I do it purely for my own satisfaction. The moment I start “selling” it becomes a job again. A chore. So I do it just for me. It helps that I have my own modest home studio and play all the instruments myself. Not always well, but good enough to get away with. Recording normally requires simplicity anyway. Does it matter if no one hears/comments/criticises/has an opinion. Not to me. Just do it for yourself.
Thanks Alan. I guess, if I’m completely candid, while I’m certain the new songs are good, I always wonder whether recording them is just a ‘wank’ — if you know what I mean. The internal debate continues but the unflagging support of Bruce Lynch among others will probably put me in front of a mike soon. Stay tuned, John
Hi Alan, (second time I’m responding to this, lost the last reply, I’m such a cyberklutz).
I hear what you say. I pretty sure my new songs are good but always wonder whether recoding them would be just a ‘wank’ — if you know what I mean. However, the unflagging support of Bruce Lynch among others will probably put me in front of a mike soon enough. Simple production would help keep things manageable. Stay tuned, John
Hi John. You have an audience still living and breathing and craving new works from an artist they enjoy and admire. So between that AND posterity (equally important), can I encourage you to record and release. As for ‘expensive hobby’, surely it can only be considered that if you’re the only one who hears the results. If putting money into such a project is a concern, why not try crowdfunding?
Thanks, Phillip. When circumstances allow I will record again. Time will tell if it was worth it. Best, John
Hey John, you’re back. I can totally relate to your sentiments here although in fairness you have made a lot more noteworthy music in your time, aside from the fact that I didn’t really get into music that seriously until age 46 when I joined a mandolin orchestra – days gone by now – followed by band after band to the point where I thought fuck it, just do it myself. So I got a synth and a program – Le Cubase4 – and Nero for the final engineering and format and started to record. I’m not doing quite so much now but I’ll continue when I get an idea that I want to explore.
Bottom line is, we do this for ourselves and the only way to make money at this is to spend a fucking fortune on marketing, and even then it is usually just pissing in the wind unless you are prepared to sell your soul to the Illuminati.
Traffic Monsoon worked really well for a while until it was shut down by the SEC and I suspect Google, Yahoo, FB, Twatter etc. were behind it because they were losing massive amounts of AD Revenue.
It’s really all about the journey after all and my early efforts were pretty shit but I got better at the engineering and started to sound a bit better. Now I’m just doing instrumentals and Uploading them to Bitchute, Steemit and Dtube with the blockchain system and the potential to make a few $$. Like you I’m now fazing FB out along with Google, youtube and Twitter. I’ll like keep Reverbnation and may look at other platforms later.
Hope you and yours are doing well.
Hi Graham,
I’m doing okay, thanks. Although I’m a fair exhibit for the humorous most: The older I get, the better I was. The body isn’t what it used to be. I’m cautious on stairs and run like a rocking horse — if I run at all.
I hear what you (and others) say and will probably find a way to record. Not least because I believe the songs are worth it. Time will tell if I’m alone in this.
Take care, mate,
John
Record your songs and record them till the day you pop your clogs! Do whatever makes you feel good and happy and ignore the naysayers! Go for it, Stanley! You’ve got heaps to offer. Lots of love, Stella xxx
Aahh, Stella, always so supportive. I sincerely hope Ron continues to work on similarly encouraged. Much love, Stanley
Hi John I believe we are related somehow through my mum but anyway .My thoughts on your subject are this…it is dependent on the outcome expected versus the level of contentment with a particular situation.
You have made a big contribution to our music over the years and I personally will be searching out more of your music to hear. Keep it up.
Probably on my father’s side, Kevin. Thanks for the support, mate 🙂
Dear John,
There will always be those of us that can not ever get enough of your songs….whether it be for the melody or the lyrics or both.
I know that you have shared some songs with me that you have not released and I loved them….and not just because I will always be your greatest fan.
That said….if it feels good do it.. otherwise do something else that feels better…life is too short my dear friend.
Supportive as always, Lois. i think the message I’m getting is clear. I should do what I can while I can regardless of outcome. So I will. Take care, John
What is the point of art if no one experiences it ? To entertain the artist perhaps ?
Record the songs for those that will discover them long after you are gone
Hmmm … posthumous fame, Robert? … now there’s an incentive 🙂 Seriously, though. I hear and appreciate your advice.
We are all put here for a reason…yours is to write and sing songs…so what are you waiting for. Even Paul McCartney struggles to find an audience for his new material and was very apologetic at his concert here last year and told the audience if they needed to go to the loo then now is the time and then started playing some of his recent stuff.
Thank you Grant. Wise words indeed.