FILE PHOTO: guitar. Photo by Jefferson Santos on Unsplash
StoryCorps was in Logan recently. When I learned of this, I promptly scheduled an appointment for Sunday, April 30th. It was an awesome opportunity and experience to relate three of my favorite stories from my book, “Musings of the Third Son from the First Wife”. In my best amateur raconteuring style, I shared abbreviated, spontaneous and paraphrased versions of “Keep the Wheel in the Furrow ”, “Never Hang Up”, and “The Healing Begins”, three stories about my parents and the lessons learned from being their son.
It was emotional, humbling and inspiring all wrapped up together like the gift that our memories are and can be when shared. I was assisted by two very adroit and professional facilitators named Delilah and Shira. We enjoyed chatting about their hometowns of Brooklyn and Philadelphia. I left the Airstream mobile recording studio feeling like I had just made two new friends; we exchanged emails and I hope our paths cross again someday. That is one of the missions of StoryCorps is to connect people, make friends and share heartwarming experiences. So to StoryCorps, Delilah, and Shira… I say… JOB WELL DONE!
While making the 30 minute drive to Logan from Preston for this StoryCorps appointment, I was listening to, of all the playlists on my Spotify, AC/DC!! A bit unexpected, I know, but it was leftover from my day of doing spring clean up in my yard the day before. Think of it as my “pump up” music before the big game or performance. The song is called, “Rock N Roll Train” from their 2008 album called, “Black Ice”. At the 2:47 mark, guitarist Angus Young hits and holds one note…with a little reverb mixed in…for less than two seconds. I replayed this section of the song several times. Traffic was not obtrusive so my hands and arms were strumming the air guitar and my head was bobbing. I did not care who saw me, I was in my element.
That single tone struck heavy in me and reminded me of another favorite song called, “Touch My Blues Away” by the German blues singer, Jessy Martens. She uses her throaty style to hit and hold a single note for over ten seconds at the 1:37 mark. Similar effect on me; take a few minutes and check both these tunes out on your favorite music app. Trust me, well worth it.
As I waited my turn to enter the Airstream recording studio, in the Cache County Courthouse parking lot, this column started to form in my head. I kept reflecting on that one note, the feeling it produced in me and the extrapolation came clearly into focus. I thought of how we can have an effect, either positive or negative, on those around us with just one note, one word, one glance or one act of kindness or insensitivity. Sometimes our influence on others is anonymous, sometimes intentional.
These talented musicians affected me in an energetic manner with just one note. If you stop and think for a few moments, I am sure you can identify instances in your life where you were the “affectee” or “affector” (might be made up words, but you get the point) with just one note, word or other physical act. I made an internal vow to myself to be more aware and conscious of my words and the notes I play in my personal and community arena. After all, don’t we all want to hear and say the words, “JOB WELL DONE” in the appraisal of our life?