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It’s Amazing how a random act of Kindness could manifest down the road One travels.
Apparently, whilst I was teaching Guitar on Short Vine, I had tried to assist a young and frustrated Individual as she was trying to get into the car she had locked herself out of. I don’t think we succeeded.
But somehow that Event marked me in her brain so that Years later she would recognize me and feel comfortable enough to approach me and start up a conversation that began, oddly enough about that incident.
Jump to mid 2004 at a Shepherd’s Pi show at the Northside Tavern. I was approached by a lovely young Woman asking me if I remembered that Event. We talked and came to the conclusion we had indeed shared the little adventure. She asked about the possibility of Guitar Lessons and mentioned she would be playing at Bronte’s in Hyde Park. She invited me to come listen.
I gave her my phone number. A few days later, we talked and the Invitation to come listen was put forth once more. I accepted.
While I was enjoying Dinner, surrounded by several other tables, I noticed immediately the effect of Elizabeth’s Music. The room was permeated with a calm assurance that somehow, no matter what you were facing, it would be alright.
She wasn’t just Singing Words from a Song. She was pouring out Healing Balm that comes from facing and, Yes, even embracing the Dark regions of the Soul. It is in this acceptance of One’s total Self, that we can truly find Unconditional Love.
I want to make it clear. She wasn’t Preaching through her Words. She wasn’t performing what I would consider Gospel Music. Her Life’s Energy, riding out on the Lyrics and Music and her Personal Quest to help others see a more Positive side to Life, spoke as effectively as any Sermon, from any Minister, from any System of Belief.
I was enthralled by her. Still am.
At some point I offered my services, not only as a Teacher, but as a Guitarist as well. Not that she needs another Player on stage. She can more than handle the Soloist routine. She truly is the Cake. Everything else is just icing and fluff.
She accepted and for a brief Period I shared the Stage with her. Though she has moved on down the Road, we hold out Hopes for the Future to perform with each other from Time to Time, as the need arises and our schedules permit...
To me, Music is a High Calling.
Music can incite riots, rally a losing Team, bolster Courage in Men’s Hearts as they go to Battle, bring Peace to a troubled Soul, convince you of your need for some product you probably could do without. Music can wake you up or it can put you to sleep. It can be enjoyed by the rich and poor or young and old. It crosses all barriers and can be enjoyed by all Creatures, Great or Small.
Sadly, it can be used for Destruction as any Source of Power can be. The Good News is more and more Singer/Songwriters/Performers are trying to tap the Healing side with determination and vigor. This is not to say they are Saints or even Saintly. They know the World is screwed up. But they Choose to focus on the Hope of a better Tomorrow, rather than continually stirring up the same old pot of Troubles.
Such an Artist is Elizabeth Russell... |
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John Redell |
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I am involved with several Musical Projects in Cincinnati, Ohio. Blues in the Schools (an outreach mechanism of the Cincy Blues Society), the Cincinnati Jam Factory (Band rehearsal space), the Flock (Celtic, Folk, Classic Rock from when it was first called Classic, Country, Blues etc etc), MCBlue (Folk, Classic Rock, Blues), Shepherd’s Pi (very Eclectic mix from Swing to Bluegrass to Jazz to Blues to Jam Band), the Oinks (the BrainChild of Ryan Thelen) and the Source (the BrainChild of Michael Borack).
If you have Time and would like to see more of my Site, Click Here and you will be transported to my Home Page, where you will find several Doorways to my little World with plenty of options to choose from.
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