I noticed I haven't posted a blog in awhile. Life seems to have been keeping me busy. The ups and downs. Work and not working. Gigging and writing new music. Traveling and meeting new people. I didn't realize how busy I was until the past couple of months. One thing I always stress to people, is that music does take a toll on your personal life.
For example, I was babysitting, well, not exactly babysitting, I was substituting teaching at the local high school. A student recognized me, and said, "Hey, I know you! Your the singer for Signal 99!" He was excited to meet me. Being his sub for the day he pulled up his chair and started a whirl of questions. Like the curiousity of a five year old, he wanted to know everything about the travels in a band. In other words, he wanted to know about the "life" of being a musician.
I told him about the travels, the people I met. I also told him about the stages we played on, and the national acts we had the honor of opening up for. I also told him about us struggling on the financial side. How we had to eat really really cheap at times. Or the times we had to sleep in the ride. Not too mention the vehicle problems we encounter on the road.
He sat there in awe. His response, "Wow. The life. I can't wait to get where your at. You should check out my band! Give us pointers!"
"The life?" I said. This is not for everyone. I'm suprised I made it this far. I have had my own family push me away. I lost the love of my life to music. I almost died in a car accident coming back from a gig. This life is not for everyone. I recently started to question my motives of being a musician. I quit a high paying job, for what? A gig that pays next to nothing? To sometimes being ripped off after a gig. No wonder why the love of my life left me. She didn't understand why I was out on the road playing gigs night after night.
So why am I doing this? My family is constantly on my back about it. My former work place didn't like me doing music. My ex girlfriend left me because of it. I found out the biggest enemy on your journey toward your dream is your own flesh and blood.
One reason? For YOU. There is nothing like a fan coming up to you and telling you that a song has reached out to them. Or how the music changed their life somehow. Music is an expression. We all have different ways of venting. Music is mine. A Marine recently attended a show in Gallup in January 2010. He shook my hand, and told me it was an honor to see and hear us play. How the music spoke to him and gave him an outlet to connect with. He told me about the horrors of war and that he is shipping out again in August to Afganistan.
This is what they don't understand. We are not going to fully understand everyone, nor will we comprehend why we do what we do, but the fact is, the music reached out to someone who needed at that given time. I'm willing to sacrifice my life to music, as the Marine sacrificed his life to serve his country.
I have a calling. And I'm stepping up to answer that call. So understand that I'm on a mission to better people's life with music.
To my family, friends and to the former love of my life... wish me luck. Please understand that I do this to help, not hurt those close to me.
chuck haven - 2010
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