Paying It Forward

Hello and welcome! 

I am thinking again. That usually means trouble for the poor unsuspecting victim reader. 

This time, I am thinking about getting older. Unfortunately, it's a fact of life. 

You may get older, but that doesn't mean you have to get OLD! 

My favorite people are the ones that no matter how old they get, you still see a spark in their eyes. 

Yet, again, I digress.

There is a point to all this nonsense  rabbit trail is that: if you are going to get older as a musician, what are your options? 

• You play as long as you are physically able to do so  

• You teach

• You take up Scrabble and forget music

• You whine and carry on about how you used to be so good, and relive your glory moments in front of everyone you can subject them to find - this also includes posting them to Facebook, Twitter, or sending endless videos 

                                   OR

• You pay your talent forward  - which is also aptly titled: it'snotallaboutme.com

Now is when I insert a Scripture, since I tend to draw continuous parallels; so if you need to close your eyes and avoid at this point, go ahead. :P 

"Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8

(See that wasn't so bad) 

As seasoned players we have a lot to give to the up and coming. 

They have the chops, speed (whew, do they EVER!) and they have dreams. 

I may not have theory, BUT I can show them style, finesse, and the space BETWEEN the notes: a most woefully overlooked area. 

(Thank you to my dear friend Shawn Byrne for that invaluable lesson) 

I can give my time and my blood, sweat, & tear soaked experience to make YOU a better player!

So, as YOU have been GIVEN, give back! You never know what impact you can have on a life! 

Build a lasting legacy - build people!!! 

God bless! 

<><   Lori 

Divided and United

Hey all!!! Do you remember me? It's been a while... that's a lot of silence for this quasi-blonde... :)

It's a steamy Monday night, and as per usual, I have something lurking up in this ever surprising mind of mine. Perhaps the steam has been a loosening agent... :P

Sooo.... it was a great weekend... I played Friday night with a bangin' group-o- musicians...in fact, I have come to be quite fond of them... it's getting so that we are getting used to each other musically.. it's that "magic" time, when you can start to anticipate what the other one(s) is/are going to do! You can really bounce off of each other! So much fun... (usually) lol... In fact... I got a hand cramp three times from playing like a F5 tornado! whew...it's been a while... :)

I played Saturday and Sunday both... and compared to Friday night? Totally different atmospheres, and such different vibes... one totally structured and the other totally not.

There are two sides to me, musically... One is the free spirit, just waiting for the next "free form" to let loose and explore! She loves musical adventure and "going for it"...

The other one is the dread perfectionist that thrives on the familiar... She is the one that likes to be ultra-uber-ridiculously prepared. SHE likes the control... but one the plus side.. she IS practiced, and that is a good thing! She's not a lot of fun, but she IS useful for keeping to the program...

and really?

Both sides are necessary for balance. I want to play skillfully... aaaaand be stretched... aaaand flow like a lava machine : )

That's a lot like my Father, actually.. He is free flowing - like the wind.. you can't SEE the wind, but you can see the EFFECTS of the wind!

and that other side? He likes order - predictably so.

So, I am thinking that maybe I am a lot like my Daddy :)

Have a great week!

Who's in charge?

Hey there! Welcome back! I am never quite sure if anyone but Lori Haire actually reads this, so thanks Lori, in advance! lol *wink*

It was a great weekend - lots of bass playing and a super funky jam that still has my heart a flutter... you know... Hammond B 3/Leslie pumping from a keyboard and phat drums.... Happy Happy Joy Joy : ) yeah and some really tasty guitar too... stomping, funky, gospel lovliness... siiiiiigh...

Anyway, it was awesome... and with playing at church, it's just such a different dynamic than I ever had hittin' it in the clubs...

For one thing, the competition was grueling. Had to be THE best... and let me tell you, you might think that things have changed for women in music, but people STILL are surprised if you play aggressively... it can be a challenge to play well and keep your girlie "fluff factor" <3>

It does seem you have to be twice as good in many eyes to count.. sigh.. almost like the value of one muslim man = two muslim women... just agitating...

So, when I had a radical run in with the same God I had been running from all my life, it's been a whole new world playing for Him... and with His peeps...

For one thing, praying before I/we play does wonders... sure beats the lucky rabbit's feet and shirts :) they never DID work... lol

Then there is the difference between me playing in my own strength and letting Jesus play through me.. Ludicrous concept to anyone that hasn't been there... I know.. sounds really hocus pocus.. BUT.. now that he has made my heart His home, it's a benefit of being His kid.... ; )

And let me tell you.. having way more joy than I ever had makes for better playing too... and YES, you can be a Christian and still kick some killer blues... : D ... ask Lloyd.. He's the real deal... (If you are skeptical, read the Psalms -yeah, it's in the Bible: they aren't all written in Kings James English anymore, thankfully) ... the book of Psalms were written by a King that had to keep one step ahead of the sword at all times!!!

My struggle, truthfullly? Keeping humble... you see some awesome things, it can be a real challenge to keep the thanks at the source.. so if you are a praying kind, send one up? MUCH APPRECIATED!

Have an awesome week- and remember, if you want to heat up the place, TURN UP THE BASS!!!! <3>