“Don’t ever become a pessimist… a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events.” ~ Robert A, Heinlein
The Music for Mission John Lennon Tribute aired tonight, and because mom and dad have a smart TV, we were able to watch comfortably together. About half way through the show we realized it was the first time dad had seen me play since the very first time I played in public at a little honky tonk in the middle of the dessert outside Tucson. I was 13. Mind you, he’d heard me practice plenty when I was still living at home, but he worked all the time and was never around to see the live shows or even the rare television performance. Turns out he was real proud of me, thought I did good on that big ‘ol TV. His commentary throughout the show was priceless, too. I’ve got to hand it to all the players out there who’ve been struggling to play without an audience. I’m not just talking about the Tribute musicians, but so many players around thee world who’ve been playing form their kitchens and garages and living rooms without anyone else in the room. It’s really, really hard to play without an audience. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but the audience is half the deal at the show. They feed the performers as much as we feed them. Playing without them is a bit like eating a sandwich without anything to drink. Yea, you can do it, but it’s hard to swallow after a while. So hats off to all the players playing and all you watching from home. Someday we’ll get to be together again.
Shirley Adams Terry
Dad and I enjoyed this so much and especially seeing you play again. It’d been a long time since I’d seen you too. Love your drum set. Papaw and Mamaw did good, didn’t they? Love you. Yes, dad loved watching you and sat up so proudly and bragging on you.