Memphis, Tennessee is home to some enormous trees. I have heard that it has more large trees than any city in the nation. I have no idea if that is true but if it is, it wouldn’t surprise me. I gaze up at these magnificent structures when I am out for a run, walking the dogs, or out in the yard. Unfortunately, when storms roll through, and they frequently do, we lose some and when they come down, it’s devastating. They are the cause of numerous power outages. They damage homes, block roads, and crush cars. Only when you see them brought down to the ground can you truly get a sense of how huge they were.
Over the last 3 to 5 years, we have lost some high profile, influential musicians such as David Bowie, Prince, Tom Petty, Aretha Franklin, and Lou Reed, just to name a few. It’s still shocking to realize that a large part of my musical influence has been wiped away in such a short span of time. I assumed I would always be able to lean on these artists, psychologically at least, as part of our culture. Like tall trees with huge canopies of branches and leaves, they were part of the landscape, weathering the storms, and providing shelter and shade come what may.
With influential people, whether they be celebrities, family members, or loved ones, it can be difficult to remember or imagine a time when they weren’t there. It is hard to believe that they, like us, were only tiny seeds, full of potential locked inside them. One day they would break open, take root, expand, and flourish.
It is easy to feel hopelessly insignificant measuring ourselves against the towering achievements, talents, and personalities of people that have gone before us. Yes, it is true, there will never be another ” so and so ” but that doesn’t mean that our contributions don’t matter. On the contrary, when big trees come down, it creates space for the sunlight and for new growth.
Many times you hear an artist talk about how they were influenced by another.
” The first time I saw Tina Turner, I knew I wanted to be a performer “
” When I heard the Clash, I decided to start a band “
Music is more than just sound, rhythm, and words. It represents an exchange of ideas and feelings. It can reflect an authentic experience from a specific time, place, and culture and yet, simultaneously, be timeless and universal.
This is one of the many things that the music industry is unaware of; the fact music listeners aren’t always predictable. They are frequently underestimated. Given the chance, they can be open to different and new sounds and ideas. They can surprise you.
As I sit here, I can hear the sound of another musical giant coming down, making a dull thud, crashing into the earth.
Remember this; when big trees fall, they create space for others to grow. They allow seedings on the ground to take root and find their place in the sky.
Is there a particular artist or influencer that has inspired, or continues to inspire you to create?
Has the loss of a ” Big Tree ” in your life been the catalyst for a major change?
Let’s celebrate our influences and explore our ” roots !”
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