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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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3/26/2008 6:17:28 PM
"Destiny"
this was motivated by Terrys blog and Texas Willies "cure!'
Can we change our Destiny??
Many years back (1970s) I left my job at a Gumboot factory and headed north with my muso firnd "robbie" to form a band!!
We bought a 100watt combo guitar amp (fender copy) a solid state 150 watt Jands mosfet amp and quad box (the PA), and 2 shure mikes------we drove North till there was no more land ----picked up a hitcher on the way (female of course) and rented a little hut to play and practice in!
After some weeks I realised "robbie' could only make up songs and sing them once----------------- and I could only do covers, and Laurie our companion, was "damaged" she had lost a child,and needed real support!!!
So we ran out of money and food-------and ended up working on fishing boats, hand picking shellfish mussels scallops and puaua-------!!
the money was quite good and we soon bought a cheap boat, and we got a license, and did mussels for 3 years-----we still played music and had a great time but shellfish were our lifeblood-----eventually i got into farming mussels, and life was good, and we made$$$$$
------ years later 2008------last week--- I just visited my friend Robbie on the West Coast----yes we are still great mates, and still play when we get the chance------both of us have had many jobs / careers since the '70s-----------we both have partners and kids---he worked on "Lord of the Rings ' movie building sets, and Gandalfs staff among other things-----I went and got a teaching degree, and formed several bands----------
Anyway what I was thinking about was how you can start a journey---with one idea in mind and it can lead into another world of experience!!!
But----you have to be open to it and say---------- yes not No
this was my destiny----but I was oblivious at the time!
cheers Rob
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srm
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3/26/2008 10:36:35 PM
You've had an interesting life. I have to echo what I've read on other threads- it's hip to hear some background on the artists that I've encountered here.
I've heard that our 'destinies' are written in stone, and there's no avoiding them. However, the path we take may be long and winding (to borrow from the Beatles).
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3/26/2008 11:18:43 PM
That's an inspiring story Silver, thanks for sharing it : )
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Steve Ison
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3/27/2008 2:16:24 AM
Thats an interesting life you've had Rob...Thanks for sharing :)
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the kozy king
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3/27/2008 5:29:28 AM
Hey Rob that is so cool. Life has been a great adventure (disguised by the mundane) when you look back on it.
And you're right, you often think you're doing one thing while another thing is happening. But then again, sometimes a man is no better than the chance he is willing to take.
"Sometimes a man is no better than the chance he is willing to take."
Who said that? If nobody claims it, then Terry said it... I like that one!
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Hugh Hamilton
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3/27/2008 6:26:41 AM
Interesting story, Rob...I denied music for years, though always keeping a hand in it (piano in the house, guitar out and easily accessible)...was an award-winning bassist in high school, wrote a twelve minute ballet that featured 45 dancers (and was well-received) as a college senior...got a degree that was interesting to me at the time but in the long run seems a bit misguided...no regrets though...after that waited tables and started a band...shifted into the bar manager role of a live music nightclub and after a couple years was absolutely burnt out by the live scene...moved on to temping as an administrative assistant, followed by some corporate consulting type of work...dabbled in a couple of bands as guitarist and backing singer...about 6 years ago, finally saw a 24-track recorder at a price that I could reasonably stretch to afford and haven't looked back...can't express how the enthusiastic support of the talented musicians at this site has led me to feel I'm doing the right thing by diving into the music as best I can given my commitment to family life..."earning my keep" by being a stay-at-home dad these days...hoping the vast musical investment of time, energy, and money will at least pay for itself in the long run, but the satisfaction of making the music is enough if that doesn't happen...definitely my favorite thing to do with my clothes on...
;)
H
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Kevin White
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3/27/2008 6:48:40 AM
Though random by process, what proceeds, defines.
K-
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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3/27/2008 4:49:57 PM
Great post Hugh!!
I was hoping I might draw out some more details of the "real lives" some of the artists here have lived----feel i struck gold with Hugo!
Yes ---time gives us many opportunities, i wanted to keep it short but there's more!
That was actually the beginning of the Multi million dollar Marine Farming industry here in New Zealand---
-I am in the official book as being one of the first in the game-------of course I sold out years ago, and went to Australia, but have kept my hand in boats------ launches, yachts, dinghies, canoes---I love them all!
now back to destiny-------I do believe it is NOT set in concrete-----and every choice we make will take us to another pathway!
I decided 2 years ago to promote my boys music--they were both recording and playing in bands----------------I went on a digital media course,--- a small business course(free),----- I attended Artists networking retreats----and I started with one Myspace site!
One of the good guys here invited me to iac-------and i said "yes"-----we have 3 other internet sites and a domain name----I'm still learning each day--------today I got a cheque in the mail for 5 tracks which have been sold into the advertising industry------once again not what I was looking for but welcome anyway!!
just try it ------say yes!!!
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the kozy king
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3/27/2008 6:18:27 PM
That's a great story Hugh. I totally approve of people who know how to take a chance (and I'm not talking about extreme sports). Sometimes you're only as good as the chance you're willing to take. (I'm not trying to be be facetious by re-quoting my own quote in this blog. Keep at it man, you've got talent!)
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Kevin White
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3/28/2008 8:02:03 AM
Who was it that said?
"Only those willing to go too far are the ones who know how far they can go ..."
Something like that ...
Kev-
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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3/28/2008 2:07:59 PM
"Sometimes a man is no better than the chance he is willing to take."
Terry---this must be a line in an upcoming song?
Kev---reveal a bit more---background?
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Hugh Hamilton
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3/28/2008 2:29:25 PM
Ya know, I try to keep this to myself...but my degree was politics...from Princeton...yeesh. WHAT was I THINKING?
xxoo,
H
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the kozy king
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3/28/2008 2:46:03 PM
No, Rob. That line is totally up for grabs. I'm sure it's not mine but can't remember where I heard it. Oh well, just give me the credit :-)
Good one Kev. I like that one. And I agree with Rob -- give us something biographical. Anything at all. We can keep a secret ;;;-)
HUGH FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! (So much for keeping your deep dark secret HH.)
TT
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Jo Ellen
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3/28/2008 7:59:56 PM
Well, when I was 16 yrs it wasn't clear whether I would live to see another day. However, I recovered from a severe illness, and went on to write songs (something I had ever managed to do well, beforehand). I am of the opinion that our choices greatly influence the terrain of the journey, but I do believe that our ultimate destiny is "known", if not sealed. Call me crazy, don't call me late. : )
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Hugh Hamilton
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3/28/2008 8:16:01 PM
KK - I was president of my elementary school class...won on a platform of "A soda machine in every classroom!" The second graders believed it (so did I) but we were subsequently disappointed.
It has suddenly occurred to me that we may or may not be able to change our destiny...but we can SURELY change our DENSITY...
lol
H
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Jo Ellen
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3/28/2008 8:29:05 PM
lol, oh my...
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kranky king
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3/29/2008 5:29:18 AM
Jo E
I believe it IS sealed (a la John Calvin -- BOO! Jacob Armenius).
(Heavy debate of 17th century theologians may ensue later but not now please :-))))
Chuckle, chuckle.
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Hugh Hamilton
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3/29/2008 6:58:01 AM
Was trying not to plug my song "Don't Call Me Crazy" but Jo E's comment is too inviting...lol...I won't call you crazy OR late, Jo E...rock on...
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Kevin White
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3/29/2008 8:51:35 AM
Okay, but you asked ... :-)
I started playing piano and writing songs before my conscious memory. My Dad was a really good player, and I idolized him, so I would tinker away at the notes ... creating little piano passages to perform for my Mom and Dad.
Oddly, I never joined chorus or played music in grade or high school. I was into sports ... and girls. I played basketball on our State Finals team and was good enough to play on to the University of Connecticut mens team. Back then, they were far from the NCAA Championship team they eventually became.
It was my first year in college where I finally braved my singing voice. I sang around my house all the time, but was too shy to do it in public. That year, I also picked up and learned the guitar. Combined, it opened a whole new world of writing for me ... the songs began to flow.
"Worcester Square", a tune from my first release, was the first song I ever wrote on guitar.
By junior year, I became roommates with a local disc jockey for the main rock station in Hartford CT. (He worked with Howard Sterns there, and they're still friends) He loved my material and encouraged me to form a band. The band was all original, and surprisingly, we found plenty of work. We played up and down the east coast of the U.S. ... warming up major acts and generally having a shitload of fun.
Here's a photo of a late band incarnation (the girl in the photo is my wife, I'm bearded guy in hat and tie):
Plenty of work as a musician though, doesn't equate to plenty of money. We were dirt poor.
Looking towards making a living wage, members of the unit turned to playing covers ... and at this turning point, I left the band to finish college ... I'd put my last two years on hold while I scratched my band itch. I did 2 years in 1.
A newly minted business graduate, I went to work for Ovation Guitars, thinking I'd combine my music passion with my business degree. I worked in inside sales there for a few years, and then hit the road as a gear representative --
At various times, I was a rep for EV, Denon, Kawai, Cerwin Vega, Sherwood, Kenwood, Pro Co, Symmetrix, Hafler and about 20 others I can no longer remember ...
This continued until my first born (now living in Dublin, Ireland) arrived.
I began to notice there was nobody beyond the age of 35 in that field ... and I was spending all my time traveling. For 4 months a years, I was hopping the globe doing trade show after trade show. I wasn't going be that father.
So I opened a financial service business (how's that for a switcheroo?), which allowed me to settle down. I've been at that over 20 years now.
It also allowed me time to get back to playing/writing/recording ... approach music the way I wanted to do it ... without relying on it to support me or distract my time working long days in it for other people to make a decent wage.
Broadband internet provided the next link in my musical adventure, for suddenly I could play with musicians worldwide to create music ... all from the comfort of my home studio.
And that's what I do today.
Sorry if that was more than anyone wanted to hear.
:-D
Kev-
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Kevin White
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3/29/2008 8:56:03 AM
My sincerest apologies ...
I didn't realize that I'd copied/pasted ftp instead of http in the image link above ... feel free to edit it if you can ... or simply delete the post.
Tiny mistakes can make for annoying circumstances.
Sigh ...
Kev-
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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3/29/2008 3:40:29 PM
---- Updated 3/29/2008 3:40:29 PM
No way would I delete it---!
I find this full of parallels, to my journey---thanks for sharing it
just do the link again --(if you wish)
Actually I'm going to do a' Hop on Pop' thing (sorry Todd) with this blog!
I could rename it 'Robbies Couch' (as in therapy) but "Destiny" is more romantic!
Jo Ellen-----having suffered a near death experience (3 times) I can really relate to who you are now----it gives us a measure of our lives ----each day ---each moment! You come across as very "real'' and I always enjoy your input, (this from an ex cynic re Christianity!)
Kranky King --Bring it on-----i have an open mind-----but cause / effect would be my arguement against destiny being finite!
Ok who's next????
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the kozy king
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3/29/2008 3:40:55 PM
Great bio. Not too long a all.
You've had a VERY interesting life so far and the best is yet to come, right? I would have guessed any of it.
Thanks for taking the time, Kev. (Still like to see that pic...)
TT
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Kevin White
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3/29/2008 7:07:57 PM
The missing link (which isn't the first time I've been described this way) ha:
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