The Great Rock N' Roll Swindle

When I was a young boy, I dreamed of making it big. To me, making it big meant that a whole bunch of people would be amazed by my fantastic musical abilities. I was going to be poetic, I was going to be deep, and the world would shake before my thunderous voice. Sadly at the time I had no abilities nor did I have any equipment. To resolve this mere bump in the road my friend and I decided to come up with a plan. The plan was named " The Great Rock And Roll Swindle" after the Sex Pistols and it involved a Motley Crue demo, oblivious parents- and 2 kids that desperately needed drums and a guitar to start our band "TOXIC". I know, I know-"POISON"-but this was "TOXIC"!! They bought our ridiculous story as well as the equipment and were amazed at the quality of the demo tape that certainly was not ours. I remember standing in front of the whole family in the garage as our parents waited patiently to hear our metal majestic magical creations. We had our equipment, we had our crowd- heck, I even had the haircut. Chris certainly had the attitude but there was silence. In a split second I realized the hard cold truth. I couldn't play a cowbell in time let alone a guitar. I had no right to call myself a musician or an artist. An artist and or musician was an individual that sacrificed themselves--there relationships--financial stability, life time, and free time.. breaking their backs loading equipment, starving in van with 5 dudes, playing to an audience of zero...you know the stories. These were the guys, girls, women, and men I looked up to. I was a fake. Granted, I was twelve years old, but I was a fake. Twenty two years later with memories filled of homelessness, empty venues, band break ups, bad deals, good shows, long tours, stinky vans, canned beans, bus rides, evictions, and nut houses I am finally enjoying minor but very appreciated success. To have raised my beautiful daughter through the craft of writing music and performing as well as producing has been a very humbling experience. I know we always hear the quote "it's the journey, not the destination". But when I look at my young artists, so eager to show there talent, so hungry to have the world shake from there voice, and bend from there words, it brings me back to that day in the garage. It brings me back to the very beginning of my own journey and I gotta say...I'm jealous! I love you music. Thank you for saving my life! And to all the beautiful artists out there shining, wondering if anyone can see the shimmer? Don't worry- they can.