No Regrets Living & Drumming
On tour with the Zeppelin2 show. Shows going great. Saw an old friend/fan the other night in Bloomington In.
He’s seen us about 5 times. In different cities. Came to St Louis, Cleveland House of Blues, Bunch of other shows, and last night Bloomington In. Honest to god Zeppelin fan, loves us.
I come off stage, recognize him, start talking. Very nice, very complimentary. He says “If I had a million dollars, I’d give you guys half just to keep doing what you’re doing” Later he upped it to a billion dollars.
He went on to tell me about “…when he was younger he played drums” followed by “…I wish i kept at it” followed by “…I bet your life is so fun…”
This is not the first time i’ve heard this line of thought from people coming to see bands I’ve been in. Actually happens quite a bit with Zeppelin 2.
While I graciously accepted his compliments and thanked him for his kindness and enthusiasm, I also said ” You have an awesome life too. You have a great wife (who was with him) who puts up with you dragging her all over the country to see us”
It really got me thinking about the choices we make in life. I’ve made many and I’ve made many bad ones, like most people.
It’s always interesting to me to see how people view a career in music. When It’s successful, like the Zeppelin2 band is, it seems to truly inspire people. Which I love.
However, not all people see the amount of work and struggle it takes to actually persist and make your dream of playing music a reality. Maybe there’s a serous lesson in here somewhere, although I’m not sure I have it defined yet.
The simple version is “Never regret your life. Make decisions the best you can with the information you have at the time. But never regret your own life”
The reason this conversation struck me was that nobody has yet to walk up to me on the street while playing and say the same thing.
Few people walk up to a street musician and say “I wish I could do what you do” Yet this comment is common when you play in “approved theaters and music venues”
And I understand it because in the back of my mind, when I’m playing in the street, I’m thinking to some degree “These people walking by, probably assume I’m homeless, or crazy or I’ve got some agenda or, or, or”
Yet, the most satisfying thing I’ve done in recent times is playing in the street.
Interesting.
Thoughts?
