I watch the news and believe I am pretty well informed. I see crimes of hate, race, terror, rape, violence, drugs, politics and finance discussed every day. I hear the talking heads say we need to have a dialogue about the issues.
Seems to me we are having the conversation.
What am I missing?
◊♦◊
I am basically, a WASP.
I don’t know what it is like to be black, gay or poor.
I have been a victim and I worked hard to get where I am. I remember having tons of debt and a shit job. We struggled, and yes, there were times when it seemed as though we wouldn’t make it. I remember asking for favors from people close to me. They rarely came. I also remember getting help from people who I hadn’t asked and who barely knew me.
Go figure.
I have a good partner, we have always been a team, even when it doesn’t feel like we are not to each other.
◊♦◊
I am all for talking and hashing things out. But this has been going on for decades. We keep saying we have to start a dialogue.
I think we have one going on.
Perhaps we need to change the conversation.
A friend of mine recently said it feels like the sixties again. I was born in 1960. I remember my childhood. I thought about it and believed there might be something cool about his comment.
But it’s not the sixties. And the sixties weren’t as cool as we like to think they were.
Sure, we have drugs, violence, and war. We have racism, battery, and all kinds of violence against each other. Just like in the sixties.
But, now we have this.
All around the world.
All the time.
In real time.
◊♦◊
To me, so much of the dissent message in the sixties came through the music. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young performed a concert the night Nixon quit. They had called for his resignation for a long time.
The music industry has changed. It is harder to make money. You can’t put out an album with a few good songs and many that suck.
We can pay by the drink now.
For real change in our country to happen, I believe it has to come through the music.
Music is a universal language. Music has the power to change the conversation that is already happening.
Music doesn’t care who you are, where you come from or how much money you have.
◊♦◊
I love it that Neil Young called out Donald Trump and forbid him from using Rockin’ In The Free World in his campaign.
I am pissed at Neil for not writing the next anthem for us to rally around.
Like, Ohio.
We have the events, Pulse, Dallas, and Cali.
What else do you need?
◊♦◊
I think there is an absolutely unique opportunity coming this fall in Indio, CA at Desert Trip. The folks from the Woodstock generation will have one more chance to impact current culture.
Twice in a generation. Just think of it.
But, while we will gladly pay and gather to hear the hits, we need something more. It is you guys who still have the DNA to write new music to change the conversation. Or, if you’re not up to it, to teach those who will.
What a great opportunity.
“Find the cost of freedom
Buried in the ground
Mother Earth will swallow you
Lay your body down”
CSNY 1972
The conversation is happening. It is just not good enough. Not right, not helping.
Let’s keep it going, but change it.
My best, Chris
—
Photo: Getty Images
The musicians are just getting warmed up.
This was just released
https://youtu.be/RCAbBnWm4LM
And this is from a while back.
https://youtu.be/s-bKFo30o2o
Chris, I feel like we’re on the verge of World War III and that the USA will be the center of it, if Americans decide to vote The Donald into office. Music and concerts won’t change a thing, but votes will.