In My Mind’s Zen Garden

Last night, I thought I was on “Cloud 9″.

It was one of those nights when it felt truly great to be a musician… a drummer, giving my best drum grooves to the people so that they could benefit from the rhythmic experience.

Most of the time “I feel good” performing anyway. It doesn’t matter where or when or how. I could be performing a concert for thousands of people, or perform in a small jazz club, or I could be doing a bar mitzvah or a wedding reception. I’m usually there to perform not just for the money, but just for the experience and pleazure, and the blessing of being able to perform music. And I think that’s what people get out of that personal intention. An honest show of what I can bring to the audience, and what I can contribute to my fellow bandmates as well.

So, yes… last night was truly wonderful. It was a big wedding reception and a good ratio of young folks and old, children, teens, young adults and senior citizens. They seemed to REALLY love what we were doing and it’s always about the relationship between the performers and the audience. And last night that relationship was exceptionally great. I mean, wedding receptions are typically very happy events, but this one was really good.

It felt like a real concert instead of a wedding reception. And the band performed wonderfully, and our lead singer was amazing. And I was able to do a drum solo. Yay!

We did 2 encores! And it wasn’t just because the audience wanted to get a couple more songs from the band. I’ve done hundreds of wedding receptions over the years so I could truly feel that sincerity… the difference. And it really felt great.

But usually, I have to confess, that this whole music business can be a real downer. For one, you can’t really trust anyone, until you’ve worked with them for years and years. And I can’t think about the number of times fellow musicians use another drummer over myself for recording sessions, or think back at the times I worked in the studio or did a gig and never got paid.

Well, most of you have heard some stories, no doubt… about entertainers and musicians who got screwed royally… who had a bandleader or manager who ripped them off or deceived them in some way. And it happens at all levels of the entertainment business.

It’s just “the nature of the music business”.

But I learned one thing from a truly great drummer… from Dave Weckl’s first video, and that is to always keep a positive attitude despite the nature of the music business and all it’s potential evils. To not let the nature of the music business get in the way of performing the music itself. Otherwise, it’s going to make you a very bitter person. And I’ve already seen that happen to other musicians who just come to the gig all “jaded” and have lost the positive attitude and innocence.

I have this to say to my fellow musicians…

Always keep that positive attitude. Remember why you got into playing your instrument in the first place. For the love of the music. The world in general can be a mean, cruel place. And it happens in all levels of society. But we musicians have the responsibility to give to whatever audience we play for, to show the true beauty and meaning of performing the music “LIVE”.

I was feeling so good last night that whatever problems that happened just fell by the wayside. I think I truly learned something last night that I hope to carry with me to every future gig. To keep the positive attitude alive, and not let any bad stuff get in the way… and let the good stuff shine.

Some nights, I truly feel blessed being a musician. And last night was one of them.