Compassion for the Curmudgeon

"When any of us are told
That there are too many people in the arts
And that the internet has overloaded us
And leveled the playing field
I always remind gloomy doomsayers
That there are never too many sunsets
And that there is never enough beauty
So we must all stay creative."

— David Amran 

His lonely
Is only
A blank space
In the hallway
On the wallway
Between the hanging
Of paintings
Of lonely
That ain't lonely
At all...
Well...the Art Mob's out tonight
Yeah...the Art Mob's out tonight
Ahhh...you better look good
Yeah...you better act right
'Cause,
The Art Mob's out tonight
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!! 

 — Terry Allen "Art Mob" 

I'm a music fan and an ardent record buyer. I buy more music than I should and more than I can probably afford. I find that it keeps me inspired. I get lots of music for free. I have boxes of free CDs given to me by other artists out there on the road. Between independent music and the music I buy that reaches my radar for one reason or another, I stay pretty satisfied as a whole with my music library. I do have to invest in it. it takes time, research, and money for me to stay in the loop of what's happening musically. I have every single record Levon Helm has released. He's knocking it out of the park in his 70's! He has a career spanning decades for a reason. He plays in tune. He plays in time.

I find the history of American music just as fascinating as those that write about it. Only if, of course, they have listened to the music and delved into the entire catalogues of the music and artists they intend on writing about.  

On this end, I just like music. From those making millions to those surviving off a tip jar. If it's in tune and in time, I'll find it and buy it. Terry Allen's "Salivation," was never on the pop charts. Yet, his influence on up and coming artists borders on the surreal. The same can be said about Richard Buckner. I have bought every single one of Lady GaGa's records. I like to stay in the loop. Whenever someone questions my musical taste on an artist, I always ask if they are truly familiar with the music I like, that they find questionable. More often than not, they don't know one song by the artist they "don't get." The worst would be folks I know who get their music for free and never buy music or invest in their own music library.  

I danced and kissed the moon to ABBA on New Year's Eve even though their song "Chiquitita" makes me laugh - and not in a good way. I have no shame when it comes to buying music. I am only ashamed I maxed out my Visa on it. 

American Idol is what it is. At least folks are learning what "in tune" means. I think gatekeepers in the music industry are fans in "suits." They like what makes the register ring. Personally, I prefer the old fashioned way of making a living doing music. But I still like American Idol. 

Bands like Civil Wars, who are rising up the charts organically through word of mouth, are refreshing. Same can be said with Mumford and Sons. 

Will the Black Eyed Peas, "My Humps" (in rotation on my ipod right next to Snooky Pryor) be around in a decade? I doubt it. But god-willing my "Lovely lady lumps" will be — at a record store near you. In search of something or someone new to blow me away. It's out there. Always. 

Terri Hendrix