Oh No Not the Bass solo!

On a recent trip to Chicago for a family wedding, I had the opportunity

during one of the many family gatherings to make a toast to a special person who has become a very important addition to my family, in an unusual way.  This lady is quiet, gentle, pretty, elegant, funny, soft-spoken, smart, caring, competent, and most important - very good at what she does.  All those years raising children, managing a household and loving a strong willed husband has presented her with many challenges and tremendous satisfaction.  Through it all she kept her composure, sense of humor, and just as important, her sanity.  The toast I made was, like most toasts, completely impromptu and in my inimitable style, I used a music analogy.

I got to thinking about the 'unsung hero's' of any great band. Everyone knows and loves the singers, and the lead guitarist or other lead instrumentalists take center stage.  The drummer's job in most bands is to keep time (unless you're the Who ;-), however the guy you never seem to hear or see is the bass player.  He/she is always seemingly tucked into a corner quietly, unnoticeably just doing their thing (whatever that may be).  The job of the bass player is to 'hold down the bottom end' of the groove allowing the other players to do their thing.  It is not an overestimation to say the bass player has the most crucial role in the band. Everyone in the band depends on the bassist's subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) lead. If the guitarist or saxophonist makes a mistake, hardly anyone will notice, but if the bassist makes a mistake, everyone in the band and the audience will instantly know that something is wrong. The Bass player links the harmony (chords) with the rhythm which determines whether it's the blues, rock, jazz, etc. 

I have two stunning examples of what I'm talking about here.  First, is James Jamerson known for his work over a 30 year period as bassist for the Funk Brothers - otherwise known as the band behind almost EVERY Motown record you ever heard.

James Jamerson

  Yea, that's him leading off the Temptations, My Girl. 

The other great example is the legendary Donald 'Duck' Dunn, who played bass with Booker T & the MG's.  'Duck' Dunn, along with mates Al Jackson and Steve Cropper as the studio band for Stax Records created the Memphis sound, which was the 'archrivals' to what the Funk Brothers were to the Motown Sound.  Yea, BOTH anchored by calm, cool bass players. 


This brings me back to Gerry.  This is the role Gerry is now playing in my family.  She's 'holding down the bottom end' that was once held by another very special lady - my mom.  She hasn't replaced her, heaven's no!  She has simply brought her unique 'voice' and style to a group of 'misfit toys' that was sorely in need of this sort of quiet, subtle, but strong and loving leadership.  May you continue to be blessed with good health, good humor, and surrounded with people who love you Gerry.  Thank you for all you do for the Berrafato's!

 

So my question to my dear readers is: Who is the 'unsung hero(s)' in your life? 

Find A Way

     Like so many of us, I was really captivated, mesmerized, and flat out astounded by the outrageous accomplishment of Diana Nyad earlier this week to swim the 110 miles from Cuba to Florida.  The tremendous and herculean physical effort and mental concentration is more than I can even comprehend.  I’m reminded of a quote from an article written by Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent for the Telegraph in 2009, “There is a fine line between genius and madness because they share the same genes, scientists have found.”  

     Diana may have crossed this line to some extent, however her determination to achieve this goal (for whatever her reasons) is what so fascinates, intrigues, but most of all inspires me.   

     For better or for worse, we live in a world today where ‘instant gratification’ is the norm – we wait for nothing.  We buy things we can’t afford with borrowed money; e-mail and social networks have created an expectation of immediate response by both sender and receiver; smartphones are increasingly replacing human interaction; and worst of all is that this creates a false and highly inaccurate sense of expectation for success. 

     It would be easy to blame our youth for all this, but the truth is, my generation created this, and has simply passed it down to our children.  

     For Diana, this swim was a long-awaited triumph and was her fifth attempt since 1978, and her fourth since turning 60.  Through it all, Diana held her mantra close: "You don't like it. It's not doing well. Find a way."

Find a Way

     For me, as a professional sales person, one of the biggest goals I had was being Rep of the Year.  What makes this such a special award is that the winner is chosen by their peers.

     It took me 11 years to finally achieve it, and the irony is after about 4 years I stopped trying.  What I didn’t stop was trying to be the best damn sales person I could be.  Many times I was overcome with mind numbing detail work; soul killing loneliness from the nonstop travel; and there were always the steep and seemingly unachievable sales targets.   

Find a way. 

     I have never been one that feels the need to have to ‘prove’ something by undertaking some incredibly difficult and punishing physical endurance challenge.  However, having said this, I am one that regularly chooses activities that can and often are physically challenging and punishing.  

     The difference is probably somewhere in the goal(s) of why we do what we do.  Many of us simply cannot achieve extreme physical challenges because of limitations of our bodies.  For me, the arthritis in my knees and herniated disc in my lower back insures that I’ll never be able to run a marathon, but I have come up with other activities that still give me the cardiovascular and muscular workout that I want.  

Find a way

     To my beautiful and talented daughters, both of whom are on very different paths with significant and seemingly overwhelming challenges in front of you: 

Find a Way  

     To my wonderful and loving wife Cristin, also on her own uncharted and challenging journey, let Diana’s words ring loud and clear:

Find a way

     Finally for anyone reading this, set your goals, seek your fortune, pursue your happiness, and when shit happens,

Find A Way

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives...

     It's really amazing how fast time seems to pass these days.  Each year I get older, the days, months and weeks just seem to fly by - literally.  A sign of just how old I am is that I tend to gauge time passage by mortgage payments.  How can it be due when I JUST paid the damn thing?  

Back at the scene of the accident

     Exactly one year ago today I set out for a long bike ride.  It was a hot, sunny, Georgia summer day and I hadn't decided where I'd ride, so I just rode.  I let the environment 'choose' my route by what road and direction feels good. That Saturday I ended up heading south and before I knew it, I was at a one mile mountain bike trail that loops around Pope High School here in East Cobb County. 

     I'd ridden this trail many times, however always counter-clockwise.  Well today I felt like 'mixing it up' and rode clockwise.  If you ride, you already know that this COMPLETELY changes a trail no matter how many times you've ridden it the other way.  It had rained hard the night before and the trail was wet. There is a rather steep part of the trail which I have no trouble climbing, however this time I was descending and although I didn't think I was moving that fast, the trail cut sharply to the right.  Just as I saw this, three very important things happened in less than a blink of the eye: First, the trail disappeared and a large tree filled my view; Secondly, I realized I couldn't stop or move out of the way of this tree; Thirdly, well, you know.  Smack!  

     My life didn't flash before my eyes before impact - it just happened.  I didn't black out or lose consciousness, but I was dazed, confused and nowhere near my bike.  I just laid there stunned, not yet grasping what just happened. I was by myself and the first thought that crossed my mind was, "God, I hope nobody saw that!" followed immediately by, "Oh God, nobody saw that! What if I can't get up?". Then finally, "What the hell am I going to tell Cristin?". Well, fortunately I was able to get up, do the old, 'anything broken?' check that boys learn to do early in life - nothing appeared to be broken, but I knew I hit that damn tree hard.  Fortunately my bike wasn't damaged because my body protected it from the tree, but I was hurt (my ribs) and knew I needed help, only I'm on a bike trail by myself miles from home.  

Fateful route 8/18/2012

     So I did what I had to do, which was walk my bike out of the trail to the street (it was TOO painful to ride) at which point I mounted it and began my 10 mile ride home.  Seeing as it was Saturday about 6:00pm, I knew that if I broke or fractured my ribs, I'd be in bad shape tonight and my only choice would be the ER so as I was passing a busy intersection I saw an Emergency Med clinic and I decided to go there.  Fortunately they were open and had an actual doctor there as well as an X-ray machine. The Doc took pics, and he couldn't make out any breaks or fractures, however he said I did severely bruise my ribs, along with my left kidney but he wanted to get a radiologist's opinion to be safe.  

     It was then that he said, "there is one thing that I'm concerned about".  He pointed to my X-Ray and said, "see this spot on your left lung?  I don't like that". My heart just skipped a beat and I realized I had stopped breathing. He said it's most likely a calcium deposit (maybe from a prior respiratory illness), but he wants it checked out.  So he wrote me a pain med prescription (which I NEEDED that evening) and sent me on my way (Cristin picked me up and we picked up my bike the next day).  What followed were the longest 4 days of my life waiting to hear from the radiologist. Luckily it was just that, a calcium deposit and nothing to be concerned with.  

My high school Senior Prom - 1978

     During those four days my life DID pass before my eyes - all 52 years of it.  I did have pneumonia when I was a baby and it almost killed me.  I fell off a 15 foot high retaining wall in Colorado - on my back - when I was 22; I fell off a 10 foot fence, rolling backward into a ditch when I was 34; when I was 49 I fell off a ladder - on my back - while trimming a tree in my yard. 

     My point here is (besides my guardian angels clearly working overtime) there are so many awful, devestating injuries I could have sustained (or even death) but other than a herniated disc and a wicked case of whiplash that still nags me 19 years later, apparently God is not through with me and has some other plans. 

     It took a full 6 months for my bruised ribs to heal and I've since 'gotten back on the horse that throwed me' and have ridden almost 1,000 miles.  I have learned some very valuable lessons as a result of this accident.  The most important being: First, there are forces at play that I don't understand, and although my faith in the Catholic Church has been shaken, my faith in God has not, and remains strong; Secondly, I'm so blessed to have a (mostly) healthy body and mind and I must take better care of both.  Finally, I have a more clear idea of what my purpose on this planet is and it all revolves around those people in my life who I love and care for - my family and friends.   

The Jimmy Herring Band – Variety Playhouse – September 22, 2012 – Some thoughts and reflections

Humbling.  To see and hear music played at maybe the highest levels of mortal human capability.  Technically, it was jaw-droppingly stunning. I think I've only encountered two players anywhere close to this level of proficiency & dexterity - Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, and Allan Holdsworth.  Professionally the performance was of the highest quality – from the sound (after some gremlins were exorcised), to the lights, to the set-list and precision of the musicians.  However, the real magic that took place was in the interaction between the band members themselves.  There was an almost telepathic connection between all of them, seemingly being conducted through Jeff Sipe (AKA Apt. Q258) the drummer. He was ‘ground zero’ for just about everything that happened on stage – I’d NEVER seen or heard anything like it before (maybe I wasn’t paying attention before?).  Each player is a monster musician in their own right, but when they play together they ascend to a higher level.  They exemplify the Gestalt Theory of the’ whole being greater than the sum of its parts’.  The various dynamics taking place on that stage and in the theater resulted in a dizzying array and assault of the senses.  Jimmy has a tone he has perfected on his various Stratocasters and amp rig that cuts right into your soul.  His signature approach is a multi-modal scale run assault punctuated by impossibly melodic and beautiful chord overlays.   His tenure with Widespread Panic hasn’t stretched his ability, as much as it perfected his approach to the ‘jam’.  Jimmy has that rare and unique talent of playing just what the music calls for, not just gratuitous ‘shredding’ and show boating.  

The true highlight for me was to watch the interplay between Jimmy and Matt Slocum on Keyboards.  Throughout the evening I couldn’t help be reminded of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and how John McLaughlin and Jan Hammer used to spar with each other.  To round out this comparison they brought out Nickey Sanders on violin for a few tunes and strains of Jerry Goodman made the association complete.  You can tell Jimmy has been deeply influenced by McLaughlin, Holdsworth, Pat Martino, and Jeff Beck (to name a few).   

Part of the 2^nd set saw a decidedly ‘Beetlie’ influence with the George Harrison, Within You, Without You, and A Day in the Life.  The former tune started with an ethereal intro that took the entire theater to some mystic mountain in India, and then launched into a traditional Indian raga that transported us to another place & time, until Jimmy released the ‘Gods of Thunder’ and peeled our scalps back.  The latter tune, Day in the Life, was interesting in how Jimmy effectively used his guitar for what would have been the singer.  The song was spot on to the original, musically, until the part where it all comes apart, crashing and burning which then launched the band into a wild ‘free for all’ jam that blew the roof off.  The Col. Bruce Hampton made an appearance for a rousing rendition of, Fixin' to Die Rag and His Weirdness  delighted the crowd as he led the band through a hilarious 'play behind your head' routine that erupted into a wonder jam.  True to form, once the Col. was done, he put down his guitar and left the stage, even though the band was still playing - and he was gone as quickly as he appeared.    

They closed with what seemed almost anti climatic – it was a slow, low key interpretation of Ray Charles, Georgia on My Mind.  In a way, that was probably wise as it gave everyone a chance to start coming down out of the clouds.  I’m still in ‘shock and awe’ even as I write this Sunday morning. 

Its experiences like this that are not just life sustaining – they are life affirming!  

Food Insecurity in the U.S.A, Really?  

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning with a hint of fall in the cool air.  Bill Evans is playing On a Clear Day (you can see forever), and there’s fresh brewed French roast in my cup.  I’m in a contemplative mood and got to thinking about an article I read yesterday in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  The title was, “US ‘Food Insecurity’ Hits Record Levels”.  The USDA defines this as, “…a household that did not have enough food at all times last year to sustain active, healthy lives for all family members…”  It said that a record 18 million U.S. Households, 700,000 more than in 2010 were ‘food insecure’.  That’s 15% of the total U.S. Households – 50 million people.  Of course, these rates were highest among households with children, those headed by single parents, and those black and Latino families. 

     I am surprised by these statistics, however I’m not shocked.  The ‘Great Recession’ has affected all of us however it has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable citizens amongst us.  I think it’s time for a bit of a ‘reality check’.  Most if not all of us know friends or family who have been or are unemployed or under-employed, however I don’t have any friends or family who are ‘food insecure’.  Although we do have some friends who have been foreclosed on, they simply moved into an apartment and still have plenty to eat.  How many of us have no medical insurance?  What happens when you have an accident or, God forbid, get diagnosed with a disease such as cancer or diabetes?  Will you be able to afford the care you need without bankrupting your family? Clearly there are many, many people who need help.

     I’m writing this today because I think that sometimes we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.  With over 300 million people now in this country, everything seems more complicated and the issues and problems are overwhelming.  However, the United States is a large, complex country with a tremendously dynamic economy.  We need to take care of the most vulnerable people in our country; however we also need to do it responsibly, and sustainably.  I don’t know the answers here; I’m just learning to ask questions.  Yes, we have an election coming up and there are two very different approaches of how to lead our country and take care of its people.  My opinion is that I think there really isn’t that much difference between the two men running for president – all you need to do is look at how President Obama led the past four years, and how Governor Romney governed Massachusetts to see who and what they are. However there is a huge difference in their Vice Presidential running mates.  There is even a larger difference in the platforms and visions of the two parties.  

     The real issue is Congress.  More to the point, the real problem and biggest challenge is Congress.  This scares me the most.  I don't have hard data to back up this next statement, but it appears that most people in this country are either a little right of center, or left of center, however the 5 to 10% of the most extreme wings of both parties are making the decisions and they are not good for our country.  We need to tell them that this is not a game for them to ‘win’ at all cost.  It is not, ‘us against them’; we are not fighting the Civil War any longer (although someone needs to tell the Georgia Legislature this).  As a matter of fact, the Georgia Legislature redrew congressional districts to insure a ‘super republican majority’ which they now have and one party is making all the decisions and they are still unable to work together, and the decisions they are making are NOT serving the people of Georgia.  It's true that people are going to need help buying food, and this is only going to get worse due to the recent mid-western drought that decimated our corn crops.  We all need energy to run this country and we do have plenty right here at home.  The issue is can we harvest it safely, and take care of the water and air we all have to breathe.  We need to also invest in clean, renewable, alternative energy sources - it's not an either/or choice - it has to be both!  No one can be productive if they are sick or injured.  Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.We need to have jobs that pay a living wage, and everyone should pay their fair share in taxes.  Stuff gets old and breaks down, so let's fix it and maintain it so all can safely use our infrastructure.    

     Our system of government only works when our leaders have the best interests of ALL the people in mind when they make decisions that affect us.  Our elected leaders serve at the ‘pleasure of the American people’ and are obligated to make decisions that honor, and care for all of us, not just some of us.  So let's all stand up together and make them work together for all of us!  This is a great country and I know we can do better. So lets all roll up our sleeves and get to work.  

Music as the Soundtrack to Our Lives

"There are two kinds of people when it comes to music. Those who have music as the background to their lives; and those who have music as the soundtrack to their lives. I have always been the latter."  Rev. Al Green from his biography, 'Take Me To The River'

     I’ve written before about experiences that have 

provided the basis of who we are today.  For many of us, these experiences are rooted in music.  Some of you inspired me with your own stories, and I’d like to revisit this.  

So imagine for a moment, a 16 year old boy from a North Chicago suburb who just recently discovered the FM dial on his radio.  After a brief journey through what were at the time the progenitors of what would become known as Southern Rock: the Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels Band, and Grinderswitch to name a few.  He then stumbles on the Allman Brothers Band.  At the very same time he was also turned onto (some) Grateful Dead by his pal Joel Schwabe, however this was still a bit too weird and inaccessible to him.  Like many of us, this boy was listening to things created a few years earlier than what he was listening to, so the ABB records – Live at Fillmore East (1971), Eat a Peach (1972), and Brothers & Sisters (1973) which moved him deeply, in 1975/1976 actually saw this band in the process of imploding due to drug and substance abuse, coupled with too much money and inflated egos (amongst other things).  I offer Win, Lose, or Draw (1975) as Exhibit A J. 

     However out of this collapsing star, was born a small group of great musicians who loved to play together and were making some real innovative, creative, and exciting music.  Jaimoe (Jai Johnny Johanson) on drums, Chuck Leavell on piano, Lamar Williams on bass (all members of the ABB) would get tired of waiting for Greg Allman and/or Dickey Betts to come to a rehearsal to record, or for a sound check prior to a gig, so they would jam together.  Jaimoe was the resident jazzman, and he never missed the opportunity to educate his band mates in the ways of the great jazz masters, but also injected this knowledge into his playing every chance he could.  Chuck joined the ABB after Duane died and brought a decidedly jazzy sound and groove to the ABB, and Lamar was brought in after Berry Oakley died (ironically also from a motorcycle accident almost a year to the day after Duane died).  Lamar was also a jazz and funk student and he and Jaimoe locked in tight, as friends and musical collaborators right from the start.  These three were making some incredible music together calling themselves the ‘We Three’, sometimes opening ABB shows.  After the ABB officially broke up they decided to bring in their friend Jimmy Nalls to handle the guitar work and Sea Level was born.

Sea Level-Grand Larceny (1976) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsbt8i25ccU&feature=related

     If you listen to Jessica from the Brothers & Sisters album you can hear what Chuck brought to the party.  Listen to his now famous signature piano solo – the melodic and jazzy riffs and runs that he creates in a subtle and rhythmic groove, which he then develops into an exciting and dynamic melodic single note run up and down the scale leading Dickey into his solo – it’s absolutely masterful and magical.  He’d never heard anything like this in rock music and it piqued his interest in the piano in a big way.  Sea Level produced their debut album in 1977 which he promptly bought with his hard earned caddying money.  What happened next, he NEVER saw coming!  The piano as a lead instrument, coupled with a tight rhythm section playing complicated time signitures, fuelled by a soaring electric guitar straddling rock and jazz (he was unfamiliar with fusion at this point) just peeled his scalp back.  All he could think about is where did this come from and how could he get more?  This experience opened up a whole new world – both in terms of improvisational music and jazz. 

     It wasn’t long before he discovered the Pat Metheny Group, Weather Report, and Miles Davis.  He was off and running.  The funny thing is that this also filled in the piece he was missing regarding the Grateful Dead.  He started listening to the way Jerry would develop solo’s over the incredibly complex and rich melodies and rhythms the band were laying down.  Improvisation started to make so much more sense to him, and became a goal of his – find more bands and groups who improvise.  This young boy from the Chicago suburbs found his new groove and it has provided him some of the most satisfying and sustaining experiences of his life. 

     What early experience can you tell us about that helped to define who and what you are today?  Extra points if it has a musical basis J.   

A Salesman Looks At 20 (with apologies to Jimmy Buffett)

I've done a bit of smugglin'
I've run my share of grass.
I made enough money to buy Miami,
But I pissed it away so fast, Never meant to last,
Never meant to last. -J.Buffett-A Pirate Looks At 40

This month marks my 20 year service anniversary at John Wiley & Sons.  This seems like a good opportunity to hit the 'pause' button on this wild ride called life and reflect on a few things.  When you consider how much time we spend working its no wonder that our sense of identity and self-worth get inextricably linked with our jobs.  It's also why the 'Great Recession' is taking a much larger and devastating toll on this country in terms of the number of people (many of our own family and friends) who lost jobs and with them their sense of identity and worth. I'm so blessed and thankful to have found a home at John Wiley and continue to make meaningful contributions.

I once had a boss who challenged me by saying something like, "the reason you work so hard is because you are afraid you'll fail".  I took great exception with this statement and told him he couldn't be more wrong.  I work so hard precisely so that I don't fail.  The difference, subtle as it may be, is in how one defines success.  In sales this is pretty easy - either you make your sales goal or you don't.  But it's not always so 'cut & dry'.  In 20 years I've only missed my sales goal 4 times (and until this past year it was always by only a few percentage points - which means my company made a lot of money on me, but I didn't). My point here is that in those years that I didn't make my goal, I did other things that I knew were important to the organization. One thing I learned many years ago is that when you play by other people's rules, you will lose more than you will ever win because these rules weren't written with your unique strengths and skills in mind.  Although the goal is the same, you need to create your own rules to enable you to use your God given talents to achieve these.  You can miss a goal and still be successful.  I haven't always been so conscientious about these things, however what I did was simply get into some habits where I actually didn't think much about them, I just did them.  Whether it was work or family related, exercise, diet, etc.  I just did it.  Sort of like when you're at the top of the mountain skiing down - if you stop and think about what you're about to do, it gets very scary and too easy to change your mind about the route.  Sometimes it's best to just go (be careful) and do the best you can.

In all seriousness, the one true and perhaps best measure of success for any of us is, at the end of the day, can we look at ourselves in the mirror and say, "I did my best".

"All I I can give you is my very best, and when I do that, I ain't gonna worry about the rest" - Ann Peebles - Give me some Credit