Sunday was spent looking thru the windshield. I did find out that my latest release had been added to about 8 Spotify playlists on Friday. Not a bad start. I caught up on some podcasts - mostly been consumed with the Yellowstone shows but most impressed by Taylor Sheridan and his tenacious work ethic.
I can relate to him on a musical level. He spent 20 years in film and never became a leading actor. He was always supportive. He accepted a writing gig that became Mayor of Kingstown long before it ever made it the screen. The studio just needed something from him. Several of his scripts became movies first. HBO all but killed the idea for Yellowstone, but he kept doing what came natural to him. As a matter of fact, a lot of his scripts are conversations he would like to have with the Hollywood gatekeepers that tried to change or ax his projects. He refused to change a script even if it meant getting the money he needed - instead, he kept his principals and it eventually paid off huge.
I had a friend ask me yesterday why I didn’t pitch my songs to more artists. I did a few years ago. As a matter of fact, one of my closest acquaintances told me a few years ago - I would love to cut your songs. He even held one of my songs for 6 months and I thought it might happen. Then, at the last minute took another song. I asked him why he didn’t use mine. What he said stung but I appreciated the candid response. He told me my name didn’t carry enough weight. I responded in a respectful way but questioned how many people actually know who writes them. Last year a song I recorded for myself actually charted #1 on an independent chart. After that, the same writers that edged me out of my song getting cut by more popular artists pitched me songs to put on my next one. I didn’t cut them. I stuck with my own. So, listening to Taylor Sheridan and how laser focused he is with his art, on the outside seems a bit petty and vindictive but it is most certainly uncompromising. I think being hardheaded can sometimes set you back - but at the same time it can be the direct result from being pushed back. You have to stand up for your art or the system will change you into something you don’t care about over time.
Maybe I need more of these long road trips.
I also reflected on a situation from someone I agreed to help on a disability situation. I sat on the phone last week listening to them accuse me of lying to them. It wasn’t a lie. When navigating this issue the government only gives you a certain amount of time to respond to them or they will use what they have and not in your favor. The person actually caught the government worker in a white lie but believed their response over mine because - again - my name isn’t as big as the US Government worker. I actually have receipts that proves the person I agreed to help isn’t being as truthful. But, isn’t that what happens when dealing with people? The ones who are quick to accuse you are actually doing what they accuse you of doing.
I don’t feel like a confrontation. It’s like trying to help a wounded dog sometimes. They think you are trying to hurt them more and they attack you. I think what is best for me is to reach out, wish them the best and point them in a new direction for someone else that can possibly help them. Do I believe they can no longer work? Absolutely, I do. Could helping them compensate the company that sponsors me? Most definitely! Is it worth it - not anymore. My inner peace and less confrontation is worth more. I can compromise or be uncompromising and I choose the latter for me.
It’s just the first day of this trip - and all this clear minded thinking has brought out some good things. There’s no telling what the rest of the trip will bring.
What’s your advice for me?
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