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I hadn’t fully realized how hard COVID has been for musicians until recently. I knew they lost income and gigs.
What I hadn’t understood was how psychologically hard it was to be kept from performing.
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What I hadn’t understood was how psychologically hard it was to be kept from performing.
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When tours and concerts were canceled, I thought “Well, at least musicians can spend the time writing and recording.”
What I hadn’t understood is that the performing itself is like a solar energy to musicians.
It is the fuel for so much else.
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What I hadn’t understood is that the performing itself is like a solar energy to musicians.
It is the fuel for so much else.
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Performing is an exchange of energy.
The musician pays in their work and passion and heart and the audience pays in their joy and happiness and love.
It is a fair and mutual trade.
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The musician pays in their work and passion and heart and the audience pays in their joy and happiness and love.
It is a fair and mutual trade.
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Stripping away that barter - that live, personal interaction - has been like taking away musicians’ solar energy.
I have had this explained to me by everyone from Grammy nominees and huge acts to artists just starting out.
It has been emotionally *hard* for musicians.
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I have had this explained to me by everyone from Grammy nominees and huge acts to artists just starting out.
It has been emotionally *hard* for musicians.
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Tonight, I’ve lined up a live double-feature.
At 8:30 ET, an enchanting roots music newcomer, Bella White.
At 9:00 ET, lead singer of the Spin Doctors, Chris Barron.
The two couldn’t be more different. Chris has played to a sold out Glastonbury. Bella has played locally.
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At 8:30 ET, an enchanting roots music newcomer, Bella White.
At 9:00 ET, lead singer of the Spin Doctors, Chris Barron.
The two couldn’t be more different. Chris has played to a sold out Glastonbury. Bella has played locally.
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But I know from talking to @thechrisbarron and from now becoming friends, it just feels. good. to. perform.
Tonight, some of us will pile into the livestreams to participate. Not just watch. Participate by bringing our energy. By paying in our side of the exchange.
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Tonight, some of us will pile into the livestreams to participate. Not just watch. Participate by bringing our energy. By paying in our side of the exchange.
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Music is a gift. Talent is a treasure. Live performance is love.
It is a mutual exchange of heart.
In their own small way, these gatherings Chris and I organize are like solar energy in the last cold, dark days of a long winter.
They warm both artist and audience.
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It is a mutual exchange of heart.
In their own small way, these gatherings Chris and I organize are like solar energy in the last cold, dark days of a long winter.
They warm both artist and audience.
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Tonight, a couple hundred of us will huddle around our screens. Bella and Chris will huddle close to theirs.
They’ll each play some and talk some. We’ll react in the chat window.
And for those couple hours at least, this long year without sun will brighten - for both sides.
They’ll each play some and talk some. We’ll react in the chat window.
And for those couple hours at least, this long year without sun will brighten - for both sides.
I look forward to these nights more and more each week because I now understand how much they mean to the artists.
Music is love.
Songs are love letters.
Playing live is an opportunity to feel that love back.
And isn’t that all any of us want?
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Music is love.
Songs are love letters.
Playing live is an opportunity to feel that love back.
And isn’t that all any of us want?
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If you’re interested in joining us tonight, we’ll be gathering up over on Bella’s Instagram at 8:30 ET and then shifting over to Chris’ at 9:00 ET.
In the meantime, you can follow each both on IG at:
@bellawhitemusic
@thechrisbarron
(And I’m @TheRealHoarse on IG too)
In the meantime, you can follow each both on IG at:
@bellawhitemusic
@thechrisbarron
(And I’m @TheRealHoarse on IG too)
