What would be your message if you could reach out to 70k musicians around the globe tonight?

I have spent time setting up the annual new years newsletter today, and wound up wondering how to make the best use of that opportunity.
Call me an old school for not using chatGPT and calling it a day, I seriously have been thinking about this with my own brain ;)

Now, I decided to give my honest, personal answer, but instead of adding that to the newsletter, I'll rather share it here, and if anyone likes to, feel free to share your message :)

Now, we are all aware only a small percentage of people will really read the newsletter or this post here, but let's assume the mic is on and 70k musicians are in front of this stage...

My final message (rendition 243.2) reads:
"Folks, thanks for your attention! I say: Let's stay positive and open-minded, there is little use in being pessimistic or worried.
The world is changing, but neither the world nor we musicians will stop grooving.
We know that, don't we?
We know about harmony and how it can touch humans - will that stop? Nope!
We know about disharmony and how that can spice the soup if applied with care, but also ruin things. Can that be fixed if it goes wrong? Sure, one needs to agree on some common ideas, and be it only for the duration of one song.
We know about dynamics and how it does not make a good song or concert if there are no quiet moments in between louder passages. We have learned to hold our horses during the ballads.
We are not in denial of heartbreak and human emotions, we make music about them.
We know that listening to each other is crucial.
We know it only works if the band collaborates respectfully, we carefully pass solo slots and give support, as we know that is needed to create something bigger.
If there was a green-skinned three-legged creature of indistinguishable sexuality that would play some instrument (me thinks horn section, don't know why) in our band - would we care about the extra leg? Probably not, as long as we manage to lock with each other musically.

I am not a master of the fine art of creating music, but being a musician has at least given me this idea of how humans are capable of creating something magical if they collaborate, and it has been a lifelong journey.

We are getting closer to the day where learning to play music in a group will feel rather pointless, as AI will be able to produce the same audible result as a band of humans - but we would be fools to miss the quest to form a band that ticks like a clockwork.

I am not naive enough to think music could solve the worlds problems, but I am sure the folks who will eventually find creative solutions to todays issues will have been inspired by someone, who has been inspired by someone... who happened to know what mindset is needed to create harmony in a collaborative effort.

Keep your heads up high, musicians of 2024, and make use of your gift to inspire others, whilst never getting tired of taking in more inspiration and an even deeper understanding on how music works.

That'd be my wish and my signal to you out there,
peace
R "

I'd like to give thanks to Richard Bona, Victor Wooten and Petar Janjic who have -each in their way- inspired the above ;)

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A very thoughtful Message Dick, worth the time you spent on reaching out to your 70k audience :W

In my message I would try to explain how music (or even just pleasing sound) is accessible to all.

The benefits are so rewarding, mood changing, inspiring.
Music has no boundaries or borders.
From age 3 to 103 the simple bang of a drum or shake of a tambourine can lift the soul.
Mindfulness or distraction is a possibility for even the busiest or most disturbed of minds.

Whatever you want or need from music you know it's out there (or deep inside somewhere)
This very subjective art may never be heard or appreciated by others but it's still something you have to do.

I just ask the audience to be open minded and understanding of what music means to different producers of it. When you hear what others like (and you may not) you realize there is no such thing as 'bad music' or bad musicians as long as one person hears something good in what you try to do.
Your taste in food may be sweet, spicy, rich, simple and comforting or a melange of all .... so too is your taste for in music. The difference is, music is not fattening :)

There are so many musicians here at the loops, any one of which could be rich and famous if the fates aligned:)
However, the true wealth of music is knowing your strengths (or weaknesses) and accepting them gratefully.

Spread the joy in any way you can, a thoughtful review, a smile and a clap, a little laughter a collaborative remix, whatever !

Just saying, Shamika

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Dick, you are such an excellent Communicator. Your summations are always a pleasure to read. This was my favorite line from you: "We have learned to hold our horses during the ballads." Yes, we surely have, thanks to the luxury of being here in this Oasis. Thank you once more for your perspective, which is seemingly supported by all of us. You are such a Good Dad to this motley mob of musicians; we could not ask for better. Cheers! <3 Anne

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