A Call to Share Your Music With the World......

A few days ago I lost a friend.

He was a musician and singer who had a profound influence on my musicianship and my outlook on life. He truly possessed that creative talent and on stage he was a true entertainer.

I last saw him a few months ago. He called me out of the blue and said, "Billy I need you to play sax on this track." I answered, " You know I kinda quit, right? I can't play like I used to." He said, "No. No. I need you to do it! You're the only one with that sound and this here's my wife's favorite song. I need to get it recorded." So I went along with it, dusted off my saxophone, practiced with his track and then went over his house to record.

I recorded the tracks for him the way he wanted. But, then..... here's the real point of the story...... he started pulling up his other creations. His health was failing badly, his medical conditions were compounding day by day but when he sang he was as alive as ever. He was so alive. He loads up the song, pulls up the lyrics on his phone and sings right there to me. Then that reminds him of another one so he loads it up, grabs his lyrics and sings right to me......I mean with him singing it is like being up close to Luther Vandross or Ray Charles..... really he sings so good. This goes on for hours: one song after another, these marvelous creations and this unbelievably powerful voice delivering the message right to me in my own private concert!

Then it hits me. "Brother you never recorded the lead vocals to any of your songs?!?" , I ask as my heart sinks. No he explains that he's waiting for the right time to do it, that's the last step that he hasn't gotten to, or he wants to sell the songs to someone else, or maybe he might find the next Justin Bieber who he can then help produce, manage and get his songs out to the world......

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Share your music with the world.
As imperfect as it may be: share your music with the world.

By all means go through the steps to copyright your music according to the laws in your country. But, I meet so many people who are worried about their songs getting stolen that they hide them away. I have one friend who is in late 60's or early 70's but still says he has his fortune on his ADAT machine. Someday when the right time comes he'll make big money with all his songs. I really want him to. I do. Sadly, I believe the truth is (even with copyright protection) if Lady Gaga steals your song in the end she and her lawyers will break you.

Even if you never sell a single download put your music out there.

If only my friend had recorded his songs and put them out on iTunes, Reverbnation, YouTube, SoundCloud or something I could hear his voice once again.   

RIP J.J. I'll miss you. 

- Bill

Damn, I'm so sorry for your loss @Bill from November Sound . Your story gave me goosebumps, and now J.J. has a place in my heart as well.. 
Arranging the copyright stuff is good advice. But most of all imo you're absolutely right about getting your music out there. And if someones 'steals' it, I'd be happy! 
Cheers man..

 

@Bill from November Sound   A very interesting testiment, I am sorry for your loss. I started recording because even if my music was good or bad it was something I created that came out of me and there would be no record of it.  Even if your sound is not perfect like the Nike comercial says, "Just Do It"

Vince

RIP< JJ  I'm sorry I never got to hear your amazing voice, and I'm sorry for your loss Bill I totally agree about getting your creations out there 

Thanks for posting this amazing story....and my condolences for the loss of such a true friend.

I definitely agree.....don't hold on to your music....set it free.

@Bill from November Sound - my condolences also. Lovely post.


Karen.

Thank you everyone. I'm not trying for sympathy. The American expression "preaching to the choir" is kind of what I'm doing, I guess. Kitchen members all know the importance of sharing their music but who knows what guests of the kitchen may read. Maybe this will inspire somebody somewhere. Plus, for me it was important to write this story down.

A sad and moving tale @Bill from November Sound, sometimes the act of telling makes it better for the individual. When it's that raw it's hard to do what you've just done.
It's a testament to you to that he called you for your musical input but it was probably more about connecting musical brother to musical brother that he really wanted. 



As you mentioned, I think many in the Kitchen feel they need to scratch the songwriting itch, it's hard-wired in somehow.

AS Jessie J would say ...

It's not about the money money money
We don't need your money money money
We just wanna make the world dance
Forget about the price tag


Get it out there ... set the bird free, it's all there really is.

A few days ago I lost a friend.

He was a musician and singer who had a profound influence on my musicianship and my outlook on life. He truly possessed that creative talent and on stage he was a true entertainer.

I last saw him a few months ago. He called me out of the blue and [...]

A timely and important post. 

Important because so many of us are putting off this or that in our artistic lives. Sometimes it's some practical or misplaced commercial concern, sometimes it's just not knowing where or how to start on a given phase...
 
Timely... because... you know.

and even, when they steal your music, would'nt that be the biggest compliment

sorry for your loss 

This was a little while ago now .....  but I'm glad to see this thread back up here!
Sharing music and encouraging others to do so has become very important to me. 

Strangely enough, I actually have a few other stories very similar to this one......