There was a factoid on today’s front page saying that less than 50% of all teenagers in 2007 bought any CDs at all, adding to the duress of musicians worldwide and the recording industry because of downloading.
Think about it, people are now willing to buy WATER, which comes out of the tap for free, but they’re not willing to buy MUSIC, which requires a fortitude of creativity, practice, intellect, skills, and a lifetime of hard work, risk and expense. Music now comes out of the Internet like water for free. It doesn’t make much sense for musicians to record any more.
OK, I’ll get down off my soapbox now. No, not yet. Maybe record companies could repackage their music into convenient, disposable plastic bottles. That’s it. Something to buy that’s cool…
See what happens when a day off gives one time to think, and check in with the outside world? I’m sitting poolside at the lovely C’mon INN. This place rocks! With a real wood-burning fireplace to greet you, it’s comphy, cushy, and stylish. I’m looking out onto the sunny, freezing landscape from this warm, humid atrium. Maybe I’ll snap my fingers for a Pina Colada after a dip in the pool and spa. Frank booked us both massages today, and it looks like that, plus eating, writing and laying around is about as wild and crazy as we’re gonna get. A glorious day of nothing!
Last night we played in the Lincoln High School Auditorium to a nice healthy crowd of 500 or so. Frank said the local papers are all over it today with positive feedback. I had a flying earring again last night, and Frank picked it up and dangled it in front of the crowd! The six-foot Steinway shook as I played! I had to use a little more muscle on this one to get the tone and power I wanted. Scott, the stage manager was great and somehow knew perfectly before I got there how I liked the stage set-up. He created beautiful lighting, too, with lots of colored gels and nice spots. All that stuff really helps to make a good show. Every time he was happy about something, he’d say, “Now we’re cooking with Crisco!”
Afterwards we ended up at Café Rhombus, the same place where we ate lunch. The menu is imaginative and fresh, and it’s apparent they take their food seriously. We ran into people that had seen us earlier at the concert and it was fun hanging out. Matt, the owner, a young friendly music lover, asked if I would give their little piano a spin. What the heck? I did. We had a good old-fashioned time, complete with singing and requests. I got a free beer! We went there again today for lunch, and we’re going back for dinner tonight. Maybe this day off will turn out to be wild and crazy after all!
We’re now in the early Wednesday evening Twilight Zone. Everybody’s in church! I mean, everybody! We don’t know anyone, and wouldn’t know where to go. That explains why on this Midwest tour we have gotten Wednesdays off consistently. It makes sense because two times a week in church builds community, not to mention the faithful tune-ups between Sundays.
We had another fabulous dinner at the Café Rhombus. Wow, four meals there in two days! When we like something, we’re instant regulars. Also the faces become familiar for us transient folks on the road. It was a nice day off. Not very wild or crazy, but a whole lotta nothing can be nice, too! Ahhhh
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
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