Every year at Christmas time, I get a break... a little time to get out of Los Angeles and take a deep breath and just enjoy the place I once called home - Georgia. This year it has been special - as it often has...but this year especially so. I haven't been running around having the same conversations with 50 different people about how I've gotta stay positive, and keep grinding, etc. I haven't been worried about how I'll pay rent for the next year. I haven't been trying to tell myself that it's worth it to keep after this career, even when there's been so little going right. No, this year I get to relax. 2012 has been an amazing year for me, full of growth, and successes, and excitement. I've been very fortunate.
So this year, I've been able to fully relax while at home. I've rarely left the lakehouse. I've seen my family and a few friends. I've been to the little burger store I grew up going to. I've even been to Church. It's been a nice break from the often harsh reality of Los Angeles. It's given me the one thing I really don't seem to ever find enough of back in California - time. I've been writing. I've found new ideas for songs. I've found new inspirations. I find that when I'm working away in LA, I often don't take time to just sit and breathe in life.
Those quiet moments are when things come clear. It's been wonderful to take it all in.
Tomorrow, I will return to the faster pace of life. I will jump back into the race of "making something of myself," but I will do so refreshed and energized, with a slightly different perspective than I had when I took off from LAX seven days ago. I'm looking forward to the coming year - the challenges and the excitement and all that it brings.
YEAHCOMEON
Thoughts of a Country Artist
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
"Stars" and fans
In my day to day life, I'm not only a musician, but hold down a "day job" as well. The job I work provides me the opportunity to be around many "stars" on a weekly basis. I've seen more concerts than I can remember, televised performances, tv singing competitions, etc. This also gives me the unique opportunity to talk to thousands of fans, and get their perspective on the stars who perform or make appearances.
Well, let me just say that I think most "stars" are quite out of touch with their fans. They see people yelling and screaming and truly believe that all of the yelling and screaming and going nuts is purely for THEM and for the person that they are. What they don't realize is that what people are generally responding to, is the connection they feel with an artist's work. As a result, the stars can often confuse themselves with being "above" the fans, and the subject of "worship" instead of understanding that they are purely a vessel through which the fan touches something within themselves. In actuality, an artist is one who SERVES the fans, not the other way around.
So, then, someone explain to me why these "stars" have an attitude towards the very people who pay their hard earned money and spend their precious time supporting the artists. For instance, why would an artist EVER, much less ROUTINELY show up an hour or more late for a performance? Do they not realize that when they do that, they are basically telling their fans, "Screw you, I'll do it when I'm ready"? I simply don't get it. Why would you want to show your fans just how little they actually mean to you by forcing them to wait around for you for over an hour after they've already been waiting for you for countless hours, just up to the time you were SUPPOSED to walk onto a stage.
I don't get it.
I don't get why producers, venues, etc, find it acceptable. I don't understand why no handlers tell them how ridiculous it is. Basically, the sense of celebrity that has crept into the American culture is sickening to me, and it's become so pervasive, that the everyday American now simply accepts...nay, EXPECTS it to be that way.
It's depressing to me. It bothers me that fans don't ask for more. They just take it. They accept that a person is going to be late, they're not going to have respect for the time and money of the fan. No, "the fans are here to worship me" is far too often the attitude.
In my journey as an artist, you can bet your ass that will never be my attitude. I am truly thankful for every fan I have, and am humbled by your appreciation of what I do. I love you all and hope that when you connect with my music, you will let me know...because I want to be a part of your journey, just as you are a part of mine.
Yeahcomeon!
Dukes
Well, let me just say that I think most "stars" are quite out of touch with their fans. They see people yelling and screaming and truly believe that all of the yelling and screaming and going nuts is purely for THEM and for the person that they are. What they don't realize is that what people are generally responding to, is the connection they feel with an artist's work. As a result, the stars can often confuse themselves with being "above" the fans, and the subject of "worship" instead of understanding that they are purely a vessel through which the fan touches something within themselves. In actuality, an artist is one who SERVES the fans, not the other way around.
So, then, someone explain to me why these "stars" have an attitude towards the very people who pay their hard earned money and spend their precious time supporting the artists. For instance, why would an artist EVER, much less ROUTINELY show up an hour or more late for a performance? Do they not realize that when they do that, they are basically telling their fans, "Screw you, I'll do it when I'm ready"? I simply don't get it. Why would you want to show your fans just how little they actually mean to you by forcing them to wait around for you for over an hour after they've already been waiting for you for countless hours, just up to the time you were SUPPOSED to walk onto a stage.
I don't get it.
I don't get why producers, venues, etc, find it acceptable. I don't understand why no handlers tell them how ridiculous it is. Basically, the sense of celebrity that has crept into the American culture is sickening to me, and it's become so pervasive, that the everyday American now simply accepts...nay, EXPECTS it to be that way.
It's depressing to me. It bothers me that fans don't ask for more. They just take it. They accept that a person is going to be late, they're not going to have respect for the time and money of the fan. No, "the fans are here to worship me" is far too often the attitude.
In my journey as an artist, you can bet your ass that will never be my attitude. I am truly thankful for every fan I have, and am humbled by your appreciation of what I do. I love you all and hope that when you connect with my music, you will let me know...because I want to be a part of your journey, just as you are a part of mine.
Yeahcomeon!
Dukes
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