I’ve been thinking, not always a peaceful occurrence, often full of newfound revelations that should have been obvious well before now. Old Hill/Hippies are prone to semi desperate acts of self examination . . . . We are probably not the only DNA in that neighborhood, but something about our search leads us to inspect the obvious. The closer I become with working musicians, the more I relate to them through my own 30+ years selling my brand of art, the more I know that it’s wrong to steal their efforts. I’m not sitting here in the trees claiming innocence -- I’ve copied my share of CD’s and even tapes. Cassettes were once DVD’s and DVD’s will soon become cassettes. Now it is downloads and "shareware". We have evolved to the point that taking someone’s art is acceptable. This is the fault of my generation and me. The rationalization that it’s a victimless act is incorrect.

I’ve had people buy my artwork, scan it and sell it without even changing the title. I couldn’t fight it -- I had more shows to do and children to feed. Musicians are the same. They have shows to do and children to feed, often that is each other. They go without health insurance, they have no safety net but to follow their hearts.  Tthe alternative is impossible. There are far too many tests to take in any ill-fated effort to change who and what they are. A working performer is a working performer no matter the medium. These gypsies/man/woman/children operate through great sacrifice and personal denial.  They have no choice but to get up and go again. Maybe the next show will be the break or the next or the next or the next. Players once toured to sell CD’s, now they sell CD’s to tour, if they are lucky. Most have an Underground Railroad of couches, floors and cheap hotels. Some drive campers that always break, air conditioners that always die in Arizona. The women rarely talk about babies and the men just want to stay in tune. There was a day when the culture of music that means so much to our society was revered and respected. In many places artists were subsidized and love.  Not now.  Now we love the song not the singer, unless the singer is well packaged or Dylan. Some may share an underlying envy of the heart chasing artists who play at record shops and theaters. Let me tell you something: these couch sleeping, anxiety riddled, hypercreative traveling music hippies often wish they could be in a home with family and love.  It’s hard out there. The fee is great. You don’t meet a whole lot of very old grandpa traveling musicians. The ones I have met were only dependable in short manic bursts.

So here is the message: Whenever possible, purchase your music from the musicians' web page. Order CD’s and download files straight from them. Pay them for their artwork, just like you want to be paid for your efforts. I will never copy without permission again, I will support these folks by purchasing their music and attending live concerts and shows. I ask you to do the same. Music is a teacher, therapist, doctor and friend.  It entwines our culture and highlights the time in which we live. The money spent on the proper acquisition of it is insignificant compared to money spent on water, beer or gourmet pizza. Money spent on the proper acquisition of music is tithing to the working poor. Spread the word that sometimes the obvious is true… and this time it is. Help the people that help you get through the day, respect their efforts as I assure you they respect yours. Yes, that is them in the truck stop restaurant at 2AM…and it’s Tuesday in Arizona with a broken AC and 4 shows to go. At least it’s not going to rain.