This guitar case has been with me for a looooong time. It’s been with me on two national tours. I’ve carried it to numerous gigs and countless rehearsals. It’s been with me far longer than any romantic relationship I’ve had. It’s held together with tape and the wood has busted through on the bottom. Look at it. At some point, you’ve got to hang it up. Maybe it’s time to get a new one and put it out to pasture.
Sometimes I feel like this case looks — battered, beaten, falling apart. I love making music but it takes a toll. Writing, recording and performing regularly shove my deepest fears and sadnesses (and sometimes joys) in my face. I do it as best I can, so am often reminded of my current limitations.
I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way
And I’m profoundly grateful I get the chance to do what I love. It’s hard though. Some days I just want to hang it up and retire, just like I’m about to do with this guitar case.
But instead, here I am after a loooong time away from music, I’m coming back again. Are the odds long against success? Yes. And No.
Success?
Writing, recording and performing my own music is what I want to do. I am doing it and will continue to do so. And I’m working daily on the multitude of skills involved. I’m becoming a better guitar player, singer, songwriter, engineer/producer/mixer/arranger, marketer/promoter/networker. That all takes time and energy and like all of us, I have other responsibilities. But I don’t have any doubt I’ll succeed. Why? Success comes from consistent effort on the right things. It’s a done deal. I’m creating music that has meaning to me and hopefully to others. And I will improve. That’s success.
No Need To Be Coy, Roy
But as far as making a decent living at it, that’s possible but it’s a longer shot. But that’s the plan, Stan. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to do that. One of my main conclusions is that a larger proportion of people who are trying to make it are not focussing on what I think are the right things. We’ll see if I’m right.
So, even though I sometimes feel bruised and battered, my guitar case and I have different things in store for the foreseeable future. I’m just getting started.
I rest my case.
Keith
Don’t lose the guitar case! I have one with black tape over the torn Tolex (come to think of it, some on the Twin Reverb, too). I’ve got that same Whirlwind sticker, on the army surplus gas mask box I use for my cables, stomp boxes, Cry Baby, etc. You worked too hard for those memories, bruises, heartbreaks, etc. to let them just vanish! Even if you get a new “working” case, the old one is part of the family! 😉
I haven’t thrown it away yet, Jon. I can use it as a case to keep a guitar I don’t play very much but I could no longer travel with it.