Something interesting happened in spin class the other day. It is an unlikely place for an epiphany, but it happened just the same. It was a full class. Between 30 and 40 people show up this time of year - this Resolution time of year. Most of us only know each other in the context of spinning. So, Dean the instructor came up with a game to play during the "cool down" portion of our class. The game is entitled "What Do I Do For A Living?". Over the course of the past several weeks, I have come to find out that I am spinning with surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, fire fighters and the chief of police!
On this particular day, however, I got chosen. I sat there, self-concious, as the members of the class sized me up and shouted out guesses. They thought maybe I was a nurse or a teacher or a stay at home mom. Someone finally noticed my BMI t-shirt, so they started guessing music business jobs and finally, songwriter.
After class was over people started asking me about my writing. They were so kind and interested and supportive. "Good for you!" they said and "Don't worry, you'll get your break soon!" Then the two guys who look like they are in a rock band mozy-ed over.
"We're songwriters, too", they said. And then we "talked shop." We know a lot of the same people and we talked about how tough it is "out there."
"Ya know, you two look familiar.....maybe we've met before," I suggested.
They looked at each other a little sheepishly and then one of them said, "We're the Warren Brothers!"
Oh right!! These were the guys who tried and tried to make it as country artists. They made 3 or 4 records and had several singles that didn't quite make it up to the top of the charts. Then they were judges on Nashville Star. Now they are just writing songs - mostly for other people. (They wrote that "Do It Anyway" with Martina!)
The epiphany?? I left there that day feeling like a songwriter once again. Like the Warren Brothers, my career path has not exactly followed the course that I hoped it would. But that doesn't mean that I'm not a songwriter anymore. It's not just what I do. It's who I AM. I HAVE to create. I wither inside if I don't. I have wasted too much time being disappointed by Music Row and wondering why I haven't gotten the big breaks yet.
No matter what happens, I will always be a songwriter. Every bit as much as Brett and Brad will always be The Warren Brothers.
The Calling
10 years ago
7 comments:
What a cool moment! And an amazing realization. I'm going through something similar these days - realizing that for me, "creating" is a NEED... whether or not it "leads" anywhere.
Keep writing. I think that the value is in the DOING of it - and anything beyond that is just icing on the cake! I'm cheering you on. :)
I'm cheering you on, too! I'm so glad you could connect with them and realize that you ARE a songwriter! Dosn't matter if you never get another song on the radio, you're still writing songs! But, it seems like you WILL be on the radio again! Keep up the good work!
I am so glad I stumbled across your blog entry. I am also a songwriter and totally understand your perspective. I keep telling myself, it's not about the "how", it's about the "what".
I just keep writing/creating and let God/Universe/Spirit handle the rest.
Keep the faith,
Phil
Too cool that the Warren Brothers came up to you in such a humble way to talk shop. How universal. How human! And yes, we songwriters each have such unique paths, all valid, all worthwhile. Just a different turn here and there.
Thanks for your very kind words, everybody! It is an emotional roller coaster - but it feels good to know that I am not alone!
I just figured out how to change my screen name!! That post from "Simon Says" was me - left over from an American Idol game I was part of!
Julie (nashvegasnative)
VERY WELL PUT my friend.
i love you sister.
Post a Comment