I believe in writing letters.
Not many people know this, but I once received a love letter from a boy in the military. We had never met. I was seventeen, he was twenty. His name was Justin, and he and my brother Brian were at basic training together at Ft. Knox. I was in my senior year of high school.
As it is with guys in the service, they need encouragement to help them make it through Basic, so we sent Brian lots of letters, one of which included a photo of me in a red, sleeveless turtleneck and a North Carolina tan-- my senior portrait. A few weeks later, I receive a letter in return, and on the outside of the envelope is written in my brother's handwriting, "It's okay, sis. [He] is cool, and I already read it." I open it up and there's a letter from this guy- 1 small page, black pen, all caps. Included is a picture of him, head shaved, dressed in his BDU's, one eyebrow lifted and bulging his right bicep. I immediately think, "Typical guy. He's not been around girls for weeks and he just wants some action." I reluctantly proceed to read this letter, in which he describes that he's from south Georgia, had recently had a birthday, that he and my brother (who apparently was running around the barracks like a ninja) were in squad together, professed his love for me and that he hoped I would come see him on Family Day. I blew it off.
A few weeks went by, and my family traveled down to Kentucky to visit my bro for Family Day. At the banquet that evening I got to meet this Justin. He was so sweet and so shy, which completely surprised me. He was nervous meeting me! Nervous. Meeting me. I had never- and still, to this day have never- had that effect on a guy, which makes me feel like in that single, passing moment he and I shared something special. For the first time, I felt...worth it. He very quietly voiced the words (in his deep southern accent), "Why didn't you write me back?" I then felt like a complete idiot. I didn't see his family there that weekend. I realized that maybe he was just lonely and needed someone to write to him. Maybe part of him was, in fact, being a "typical guy..." but I believe that he was sincere in his gesture. I could tell he was hurt that I didn't write him back. I never saw nor heard from him again.
I'm pretty sure he was sent to Bosnia shortly thereafter. Don't ask me how I know this. But sometimes when I'm looking through my jewelry box my fingers will brush that single letter, and I remember how powerful it is. There's something so personal in letters. Someone else's fingers touched that very page. Someone thought through what they were going to say before putting pen to paper. For me, as a seventeen-year-old, that whole experience was a right of passage, and I don't think it's crazy to hold on to that. I will always remember what he said and how he made me feel.
7.25.2010
I recently had two separate conversations with different recording artists, one of whom is in an up-and-coming band who've begun getting more recognition and radio airplay in the past year, another of whom is semi-retired now but was once a member of one of the biggest bands in the Christian music industry. These conversations fascinate me because each person holds a vastly different perspective on the industry at this point in their careers. It goes something like this.
The first person stressed the importance of experience, touring and ticket sales. Smaller bands want to get on board with bigger bands so that they can gain some recognition and credibility, and as a result, to grow their own fanbase and further their career. But the bigger bands want to bring on bands who already have that. They need to know that the smaller bands may even help them sell tickets-- in all markets-- meaning, not only are they a quality act, but also that they already have that sought-after fanbase. It's a catch-22 that makes up one reason why starting out is so difficult. It's the same way in any job market. You need experience to land a job, but no one will hire you because you don't have experience. This emphasis is industrial and impersonal, but necessary to "make it." Before I move on, let me say that I find no fault with that view. It is wise advice.
The other person is someone who I've been acquaintances with for years, have seen play in arenas and tour internationally. He's now involved in a smaller, independent project, and I went to see him a few weeks ago at a small church on the outskirts of town. There were about 100 people in attendance. I was honestly a little concerned over the lack of publicity and people there, but he said something so profound to me. In the most gentle way, he said, "It was a good show. It felt like the people who needed to be here were here. We're just so over.....the egos."
Let's be honest. We've all traveled 6 hours to play a show for 5 people, and it can do a bit of damage to a spirit. I think for an artist starting out in this industry, you've gotta be ready to put up a fight. You've gotta be relentless. It's awful, and I don't know why we put ourselves through it. But we do, and we hope that somewhere on the other end peoples' lives will somehow be touched. So whether you're just getting your first single on the radio or you've had 10 #1 Hits or you're just making $10 in a tip jar, what is it that you concern yourself with?
The first person stressed the importance of experience, touring and ticket sales. Smaller bands want to get on board with bigger bands so that they can gain some recognition and credibility, and as a result, to grow their own fanbase and further their career. But the bigger bands want to bring on bands who already have that. They need to know that the smaller bands may even help them sell tickets-- in all markets-- meaning, not only are they a quality act, but also that they already have that sought-after fanbase. It's a catch-22 that makes up one reason why starting out is so difficult. It's the same way in any job market. You need experience to land a job, but no one will hire you because you don't have experience. This emphasis is industrial and impersonal, but necessary to "make it." Before I move on, let me say that I find no fault with that view. It is wise advice.
The other person is someone who I've been acquaintances with for years, have seen play in arenas and tour internationally. He's now involved in a smaller, independent project, and I went to see him a few weeks ago at a small church on the outskirts of town. There were about 100 people in attendance. I was honestly a little concerned over the lack of publicity and people there, but he said something so profound to me. In the most gentle way, he said, "It was a good show. It felt like the people who needed to be here were here. We're just so over.....the egos."
Let's be honest. We've all traveled 6 hours to play a show for 5 people, and it can do a bit of damage to a spirit. I think for an artist starting out in this industry, you've gotta be ready to put up a fight. You've gotta be relentless. It's awful, and I don't know why we put ourselves through it. But we do, and we hope that somewhere on the other end peoples' lives will somehow be touched. So whether you're just getting your first single on the radio or you've had 10 #1 Hits or you're just making $10 in a tip jar, what is it that you concern yourself with?
