My posting on social media’s days are numbered. I had to deactivate my FB page since being hacked … yet again … this time thanking all for being ‘fans’ … which sounds so like me! What’s next, me proclaiming ‘I’m from the government and i’m here to help’?
This is my internet space, and I will post songs, photos and what’s on my mind here. If no one reads it in this lifetime, perhaps one day someone will see there was a guy who received no Grammy, no AMA, no awards whatsoever save a few BMI airplay achievement medallions and certificates, but was an artist true to his form, no matter the audience.
So many proclamations I read about what it takes to be a ‘real artist’. John Mellencamp said you have to do it, you have to tour, because it’s in your blood if you’re a real artist. This may be true, but I see little correlation between being an artist and touring. In fact, to me they’re almost polar opposites.
Writing, rewriting, demoing, recording, producing, mixing… these are an art form of their own. It starts from nothing. Eventually you end up with something that is your signature sound, lyrics that reflect your life experience. Well, if you’re not just hacking the latest radio or Spotify trend that is.
Many say it’s a gift from the universe that if you don’t snatch up, someone else will. I always liked that description because for me, that’s the closest to how it feels.
Touring, in my opinion is in large part a carny act. You have a lobby call, early. You head to an interview or two, then it’s time to eat. After lunch you have sound check. Then you have an hour to go to your hotel room or bus and relax, hang out, shower and prepare for the show. Once the show starts, typically speaking you do the exact same thing you did the night before. Then it’s back to the room or bus and onto the next city. It’s groundhog day.
This is not to say it doesn’t take some creativity to invent an entertaining live show. I’ll tell you this, it certainly takes an athlete. But once it’s created you do it night after night, week after week, month after month. zzzzz
Ok mr. devil’s advocate, I know there are a few performers who are free-form and wing it. Jazz musicians have to play live to keep up their skill, their spontaneity, and I get that. But with popular music that’s not the norm. The norm is “HELLO CLEVELAND, I LOVE THIS CITY!” … followed by the next night’s “HELLO PITTSBURGH, I FUCKING LOVE THIS CITY!”
To me it’s brutal. Living with, again typically speaking, 4 or 5 guys in a bus is not an intuitive way for a man to be. We’re not designed this way after the age of 25. This is why so many bands stay together but don’t like or even speak to each other anymore. In the case of The Who, for example… Roger and Pete exit the stage from different sides, get in their limos and see each other at the next show, onstage, never uttering a word to one another. It’s been that way for many years. Just not in our DNA to live in tight quarters with other men. Women same. Men/Women, yikes…
Lennon/McCartney knew it after a few short tours, and in 1966, 2 years after going to the toppermost, they stopped. They were like, wait, we could be writing new songs and instead we’re out here taking bows for the songs we already wrote… not what we want to do! So they stopped. And the world thanks them.
For li’l ol’ me… I did many other things to keep from touring. I managed for 22 years, produced some records, ran a small label for awhile, developed many new artists… and now I get to enjoy what I love most, songwriting and record making. I hope you enjoy my new home and the songs, photos and videos I offer. They are mine, based on a life lived and devoted to what I love… music.
-Jude
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I’ve never quite understood the touring mentality; part ego/part money I’m guessing. But I do know a handful of musicians in local bands who aren’t in it for the ego/money and simply need to scratch that itch and perform. I don’t play nor can I sing, so I am relegated to be in the audience to enjoy those who can. Or driving in the car thumping on the steering wheel. Or digging-up a VCR-recorded 1993 Tonight Show episode on You Tube to catch what was then a live performance. While I can appreciate Jude’s focus on the art-side of the industry, I can only hope there is still an itch to perform for us in the audience… a live stream would be incredible!
Bravo! Carry on, man.
Thanks for the artists insight. So interesting for a music fan. Loved it.
Great to see you create your own space without the FB drama and BS that comes with it. You are a true artist and it is good to see you can be in a space to thrive in.
I’m glad that you are doing what you love most , concentrating on your music and getting back to songwriting and record making . I am happy for you and fans like me and so many others are happy too.
Your talent as a songwriter, musician, is undeniable, your music, your voice exceptional. The way you turn a story into song is exquisite,, the delivery magnificent and first rate always.
Selfishly I would love to see you perform live one more time , but I get it and understand and respect where you are coming from . At least I had the privilege and honor to see you twice here in Chicago , truly memorable.
There is none better in my eyes , wishing you nothing but the best , and so looking forward to new post and music from you
I can’t say it any better than Angelo did. I’m a musician myself and I truly appreciate your songwriting, production and musicianship. You should have won a Grammy (and/or an AMA), but it wasn’t meant to be like so many other talented artists (e.g., Brian McKnight, Queen and my good friend Robert Berry). Unfortunately the way the music business is today, it’s not probable and that is sad. I would have loved to have seen you live, but I can see that is not going to happen. I wish you all the best in the future and keep making music and doing what you love.
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