Between Polarities 
  
For once in my life I feel I've finally tapped into the true creative spirit of myself.   When I perform I have a new confidence to really give it my all and I can also reach out to the audience.   Nate and I were talking about this on the way home from the Santa  Monica gig.   That the only way to truly succeed in music is to reach out to the audience and make that connection.   There are a lot of great musicians out there that obviously show an attitude that they are professional musicians with years of experience,  but the problem IS that they fail to connect to the audience. 
  
Someone in the band mentioned that we shouldn't be pretentious,  but in reality,  the music business thrives on much pretentiousness.   I wouldn't even call it pretentiousness,  but rather "showmanship".   If we act crazy and looney onstage then I believe we are conveying showmanship antics,  and I find no harm in that,  as long as we are coming through in regards to the musicianship. 
   
I know a lot of professional musicians out there want to feel serious about their playing,  but who wants to see a regular big band performing Glen Miller's "In The Mood"  and just sitting and playing?   The people want to be entertained and we as performers need to entertain the people,  the audience.   We played well as a band the other night at Croce's,   but we couldn't have gotten the audiences attention if it weren't for Warren gyrating and moving on stage,  or Nate putting some attitude behind his trumpet playing,  or myself playing an outrageously fast and aggressive drum solo.   The people need to entertained or else they will seek entertainment elsewhere and that's the bottom line,  and something I keep in mind whenever I perform. 
  
People want to see an event.   If nothing is happening,  then the people will find an event elsewhere... 
  
Sometimes members of the band have some disagreements,  or differences in opinion.   And like anything else,  it makes it hard to work together.   But that is why my plan,  to generate as much positive energy as possible,  WILL conquer all the negativity in the band.   I would rather be a true asset to the band,  rather than a detriment.   It has been proven before that people who can not work with a positive energy or spirit will not last,  so I'm still keeping the faith that I am responsible for my destiny and can shape the future if I'm willing to carry out this positive,  perseveriing energy to the audience and the rest of the band. 
  
I know I can do it if I set my mind to it,  even though others are throwing around negative vibes at the same time. 
  
The key to working things out is to be able to exist between the polarities,  thus my theory stands as far as counteracting the negative with the positive! 
 

Currently Reading:  

Drummin' Men 
by Burt Korall 
 
Web Multimedia Development 
by David Miller 
 

Led Zeppelin - Four 
Yellow Jackets - Four Corners 
Diana Krall - Never Trust Your Heart 
The English Patient - Soundtrack 
 
 

19 days till the Disney World New Year's Eve show! 
  
 
13 days till Christmas!