DO YOUR THING RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE
8-17-08
Hunter Thompson was
just trying to be funny but he almost told the whole truth about the
music business when he wrote, "The music business is a cruel and shallow
money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free
and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
In the fall of 1994 I was planning to retire after 16 years as county
executive and decided I would relocate to Nashville and resurrect my
songwriting career that had been going real well in the seventies before
I was elected. My plan was to buy a condo as an investment, live there
and pitch my songs and write for Warner where my old friend and
publisher John Denny had opened a door for me. I thought I would stay
there all week and come home on the weekends.
Several things changed my mind and I have previously written about some
of those. The bottom line was I did not like the direction the music had
taken nor the changes in the business management side. Instead, I
adopted what I call "The Dolly Parton way of doing your music."
Several albums ago she wrote. "I think I am the happiest I have ever
been artistically. I don't have to deal with manager - I manage myself.
I make all my own decisions and have my own label. I own my own masters,
so I write 'em, I publish 'em, I own 'em and I am producing 'em. I'm
home owned and home-operated. I'll be selling out of the trunk of my car
if I need to."
It is certainly easier for Dolly to become completely independent this
way than it is for a poor old boy from downtown Watering Trough.
Nevertheless, I made the decision to be this way 14 years ago and I do
not regret it.
It was the only way I could see to be true to my God-given talents. I
take being true to my God-given talents very seriously. It's one of the
few things in life I am serious about. Reading Jesus parable of the
talents set me on that path. You will remember that the only one he came
down on was the one who did nothing with his talents.
I agree with Emerson that our calling is in our talents. Writing and
performing songs is one of mine and I will not do it in a situation or
manner that I do not feel good about.
Now I am not saying this way of life is easy. I write good songs and
record them with great musicians but I have probably sold fewer CDs in
14 years than Dolly sells in a day. That's OK with me. I am able to stay
home most nights and play gigs among people I know and love. I know that
those who buy my CDs really love me, my music, or some particular song.
I stay about as busy as I wish to be.
It reminds me of a Barney Morgan saying. Once we were discussing the
wealthiest man in this part of the world and Barney said, "My
refrigerator gets my milk as cold as his." He was saying that his
product (milk) was as good as the richest man's and he enjoyed it as
much as the rich man enjoys his. His taste buds work the same as the
rich man's.
I feel the same way. I have as deep a sense of satisfaction and
fulfillment when I write and record a song as any "star." I don't make
as much money but I have enough and I agree with the Quaker doctrine of
"enoughness." That is, when you have enough you are wealthy.
Be true to your talent right where you are. You have the creative power
in your mind and soul to find a way to unfold your God-given talent
right where you are.
I am pulling for you and I think Dolly would, too.
