October 2016: You Are What You Eat

Just like eating junk food is bad for your body, listening to junk music is bad for your brain and soul.  It’s a simple premise, but just as a great majority of folks hit that drive thru as opposed to seeking more fulfilling nourishment because it’s so much easier, music consumers do the same.  They don’t have time to sift through blogs and Spotify to decipher the latest, cool tunes.  They just listen what is on mainstream radio.  They don’t know about that low wattage station at the end of the dial either.  They’ve never experienced the home-cooked goodness at that greasy spoon that looks like an abandoned building.  And, perhaps they never will.  All the pleading and positive Yelp ratings in the world, can’t make people leave their comfort zones…be it for food or music.

However, those folks who do find the holes in the walls and the mom and pop’s off the beaten path are often rewarded with a much better experience.  The same goes for music.  It’s healthy for mind, body and soul.  Tastes better. Sounds better.  Is better.  You never feel completely satisfied after a fast food or chain meal (save for Whataburger!!) Don’t you enjoy knowing that your meal was hand crafted by a chef that you can see working in the steamy kitchen just beyond the counter?  Using farm fresh ingredients and his grandmother’s recipe.  Served to you by a waitress that has a winning personality, bright smile and bad jokes? I do.  And I know so many of you do.

Music is the same.  Seeing the man or woman singing the songs to you and knowing they wrenched the words and rhymes deep from within their soul and not in a cubicle with a hit list.  Talking to them at the merch table after the gig affords you some solace in the fact that you’re supporting the good guys and gals.  Support independent music.  Support independent restaurants.  Support independent record stores.  Support independence.  The men and women that are brave enough to chase their dreams, whatever they may be, without a safety net deserve your attention and respect.

Thankful to live in a time, area and era where that is a greater possibility than ever.

I’m off to listen to some independent music at my favorite hole in the wall.

MINOR CHORDS:

-Our best of list is still reverberating.  Perhaps the most rewarding and far reaching project I’ve ever undertaken. Grinding away on that addendum list.  Some complete brainfarts left a few big names out.  Coming soon.

-Fall is finally here…and how ’bout Dak?

-Pulling for the Cubs in the absence of the Rangers.

-Glad I enjoy the long way and not the highway.

-Spotify’s weekly discovery playlist continues to provide me with cool stuff.

-I wish 1310 The Ticket was set up like Howard 100 and 101 on SiriusXM.  Live broadcasts on one; delayed broadcasts and best of’s on the other. Guarantee there’s a market for that for America’s favorite radio station.

-The election is almost over you guys!

-Approaching 13 years of this column…it’s finally about to graduate high school.

-This month’s recommended album: Brent Cobb- Shine On Rainy Day.  Dave Cobb’s cousin from Georgia goes national on this singer/songwriter masterpiece.  Cobb never sought the spotlight, it found him.  Produced by his cousin, this collection is introspective, rootsy, folksy and good.

-“Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.”- Mark Twain