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Stoneman
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10/9/2024 9:37:44 PM
I Have Finally Reached The Crossroads Of "No Return"
With age often comes some very startling realizations. This year has proven to be an undoing for me. A total undoing of my confidence in being able to display my artistry live. The final straw came for me during my performance of the national anthem at our national martial arts tournament in July. I got halfway through the song and then suddenly the words just disappeared from my mind. I stopped for a moment and waited and they returned but not before the entire crowd of thousands had witnessed my mental lapse. For a moment there I truly knew what Joe Biuden found out in the debate. I knew that my faculties have subsided so far that maybe it is time for me to reconsider this live thing for the duration of what is left of this musical life. However, I can still write, produce and play in my studio so there wi;l still be music flowing from the Tower Of Stone. Juts no more live performances. Stoneman can no longer remember the lyrics to the national anthem let alone a 20 song live set. The end has come to my 60 year love affair with live audiences. It makes me so sad but I knew this crossroad was going to eventually come. I just didn't expect it to happen this soon. But the old brain has been injured so many time in street fights, tournaments and cancer. It's amazing that I can even still play my instruments. Actually, I can't play my instruments live anymore either. Song forms and chords get all mixed up in my brain now. After the craniotomy in 2016 I was left with severe memory deficiencies.
So I have reached another milestone. I have decided to put a positive spin on it by saying that I can still do this or that or the other thing. But no more live stuff. You gotta take your lumps in life with candor and thanks. I am thankful. I had a really good run. Now the race continues, but in a different way. I love what i do and do what i love. I am blessed. Much Respect To All, Stoneman
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Bryon Tosoff
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10/9/2024 11:27:08 PM
Thanks for sharing Stoneman!
You have such a legacy Stoneman. All your many years of producing such amazing songs, doing live shows, playing so many different musical instruments. Multi-faceted abilities in so many ways
We appreciate you bringing your skills here and sharing your amazing music and bringing inspiration to all of us here at IMPNATION .
Admitting this challenging circumstance you experienced is tough, I can't imagine the feeling ,yet you persevered and got through the situation.
Rock on and continue your amazing journey, we look forward to more of your fantastic music
much respect
bryon
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Psyche's Muse
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10/10/2024 1:29:15 AM
Much Respect Stoneman. Living in the "Present" is a "Gift" from You unto Us. Thank You For Being Here. Sincerely, Mortamor.
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Richard Scotti
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10/10/2024 2:55:34 PM
---- Updated 10/10/2024 2:59:07 PM
Stoneman, my heart goes out to you for all you’ve been through. To say you’re one of a kind would certainly be an understatement. But all your experiences made you the man that you are and blessed you with the ability to express your feelings through music in such a soulful poignant way. And we are blessed to have been a part of your journey through your participation on this website. You share your truth with us and we are better for it. Personally you inspire me greatly. You walked through the fire and still came out rockin’! You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din. I’m glad we will continue to enjoy your creative endeavors. You never give up. And that’s why I love you, man!
Your Soul Brother,
Richard
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Paul groover
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10/12/2024 5:05:28 PM
So you made a mistake and forgot lyrics come on now Stoney. There is this wonderful thing called a tablet ipad whatever even a smart watch if you want to be James Bond style. No reason to give up
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Father Time
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10/12/2024 10:01:25 PM
I have issues with my impending age. This started back in my 20s when I determined if I didn't make it by the time I was 25 it was all over for me. This is part of the reason I named myself Father Time. My health is so so, but I've told myself that I intend to live 22 more years til I'm 88 and I don't think any further than that these days.
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Larree
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10/12/2024 11:12:45 PM
Much love and respect your way, Stoneman. You are a musical hero to all of us, brother.
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Chandra Moon
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10/17/2024 3:35:43 AM
wow Stoneman - I get it - I just had my 72nd birthday and I'm blessed with excellent health - but my memory also is sketchy when I'm out playing live - I do have an iPad holder on my mic stand to glimpse at when I forget the next line which is helpful but I also know a time will come when it's best to stick to the studio and online etc!!
I have the utmost respect for you, your music and the brilliant encouragement and support you've given people over the years and to me in particular.
Love ya Stoney - keep on keeping on whatever way works for you XXX
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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10/17/2024 8:59:28 PM
I don't say much here these days but this is a shock. To me you are are a true blue artist, writer. poet. muso of top calibre. never say never my friend. My gigs are months apart these days but cancer has taught me that music is a necessary part of my day. no audience most times, just plug in my mike and guitar and do 5 or 6 songs from memory BUT there it goes---- my long term is good but I can remember sweet FA so I have the lyrics on the stand just in case. keep on till I drop. much Aroha (LOVE) in Maori NZ indigenous people of Aotearoa. Kia kaha (stand Tall)
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Larree
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10/19/2024 1:37:38 PM
There is no shame in using an iPad for performance. Most bands use them now. Hell, Bobby Weir uses one and he still fucks up his lyrics all the time. I mean, you still have options if you ever get the bug again.
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Stoneman
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10/27/2024 12:29:51 AM
---- Updated 10/27/2024 12:35:47 AM
Big thanks toeveryone for the support and encouragement. Yes, I know there are options. I just have to come to grips with the changes I am going through now. It is a challenging time of life when things are happening for me but i am no longer ready for them. Its very hard when you are use to maintaining a certain level of professionalism to accept anything less. But don't get me wrong. i have been blessed with many wonderful years of playing to live crowds. That was always my prize in the middle of the struggle to be successful.. To perform in front of the people. I always enjoyed seeing their faces and feeling their energy. For me, it is the best feeling in the world. But now, my mental failings are jeopardizing all of that. Its okay, I am blessed beyond measure. I am alive and music is still alive in me. I'm gonna keep banging out those tracks until the reaper comes to take me away from here. Stoneman music will continue as long as I draw breath. As musicians, we are built that way. i got so much funk left insde of me that skunks run in fear when they smell it. Much Respect To All! Stoneman "Rock On"
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Neil w Young
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10/29/2024 8:27:37 PM
---- Updated 10/31/2024 2:19:05 AM
Old age is a blessing if we are fortunate to reach it with all our capacities still intact– an ideal end, although few seldom do without dragging heavy physical health and emotional baggage behind them or pushing it in front of them, which is particularly painful for musicians and singers who found the stage to be the place where they felt the most at home. I totally understand and empathize with you, Stoneman, and feel the deep personal grief that fills you with that loss having arrived in your life.
At the ‘young’ age (in my mind of course) of 82 and 6 months, I came to that same crossroads myself in June of this year, painfully recognizing and realizing that those days were coming if already had not come to an end, brought on by a combination of age and years of scars on the outside by remnants of several surgeries, and on the inside by countless emotional scars, all leaving me a badly wounded warrior. I felt robbed and struggled with the loss of the ability of what had made me the most happiest about being a musician and a singer – being on stage, whether I was playing for an audience of one or 100 or how many ever other. Still though, whether by stubbornness or perhaps an innate driving spirit and indubitable positive attitude, there are days when shades of the warrior reappear with old visions of sex, drugs and rock and roll dancing in the head, aching, itching and pining to do another set on the stage behind the mic with my Fender, Gibson or Martin strapped on my shoulder … and I’m betting you do as well, Stoneman, because what we love to do, we will find a way to do one way or another until the day we die. It made us what and who we are.
As I expect it is for you also, I have many songs that I’ve written that are doomed to never see the light of day, and countless seeds of hundreds more songs where the fertile ground where they were born and once lived, sadly now has little left of life to give – and that is not a blessing of old age. Damn, though, those were a couple of good lines for another song if I do say so myself!!
For me now, I find myself in my once thriving little studio playing privately for the most critical audience, the musician/singer in the mirror who my producer often scolded for trying to do the impossible – make every song perfect. It’s never going to happen, Neil, he would say, so just get over it, quit telling yourself you gotta hit a home run, just hit the ball and get to first base for starters. I think I've long got over it. Age and its limitations have a way of shining a new light on life – and on perfection.
Still and regardless, Stoneman, it ain’t really over … now it’s just a new road to follow on your journey. Besides, you have already done it all, you have made and done it well. Your legacy is etched in stone, man, (no pun intended) here on IAC/IMP and everywhere else you have laid down a tune. No one can ever take that away from you.
I’m honored to have known you and wish you Glücklich Reise, Tzeischem L’ Shalom and Godspeed on the rest of your journey wherever it may take you … just know you have a friend up here in Canada who feels blessed that our trails have crossed during our lifetime.
Peace.
Neil
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James Stanley Howen
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10/30/2024 8:22:23 AM
---- Updated 10/30/2024 8:24:39 AM
Old age is creeping in for a lot of us. As my friend Neil (my songwriting hero and author) put so eloquent in his comment I agree with whole hardheartedly. Stoneman and many more artist, including myself, I have seen and heard on IMP for many years now are nearing the final set in our lives we can rest in peace with the legacy of great music that we have created in our lives. It makes me think of one of my favorite songwriters (Billy Joe Shaver) and one of my favorite songs of his "I'm Gonna Live Forever". When he says "The songs I leave behind me" it sums it all up for me. Cowboy you always say it so well.
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Scott
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10/30/2024 8:36:21 PM
I just wanted to say that if there were a Hall of Fame for pipeline threads, this one should go in it first, it contains contributions from so many of our iconic indie artists.
James and Neil, Bryon and Richard, Larree and Paul, Chandra and Silverwood and Stoneman! I'd put those 9 up against the Yankees or Dodgers any damn day of the week.
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Larree
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10/31/2024 12:23:48 AM
With you as our manager we would never lose, Scott! Much love, brother!
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Neil w Young
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10/31/2024 2:56:59 AM
---- Updated 10/31/2024 9:01:39 AM
Thank you for your kind words above, Jimmy (James), much appreciated.
Speaking of the Yankees and Dodgers as Scott so noted in his thoughts about the respective indie artists in this thread and a Hall of Fame of Pipeline threads, as a bit of personal trivia, my team from ever since I was a young boy, 'The Boys of Summer', did win the World Series last night.
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Stoneman
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10/31/2024 4:48:08 AM
Yeah, I never imagined this thread would take on such life and become a beacon of hope from so many notable indie artists. I am honored and blessed to be so highly thought of by this community. I have accomplished many great things in music but being a respected member of this community is probably my greatest accomplishment. You all Rock! Much Respect! Stoneman
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The CODE
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10/31/2024 6:27:29 PM
Rock On Stoneman, we all age ...
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Steve April
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10/31/2024 7:09:13 PM
We enclose immensities...
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Scott
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10/31/2024 7:37:45 PM
More allstars!
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Chandra Moon
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11/1/2024 10:25:36 AM
I really get this - I'm 72 and so far I am so very blessed with good health - every day I feel grateful to still be fit and alive and breathing - somehow knowing there's a lot more behind us than ahead focusses the mind.
I also know my own limitations now, I'm not young any more so have to pace myself and at the same time not give up on things - a balancing act to be sure.
I have huge respect for you and over the many years you've always been an inspiration and encouragement from right at the beginning (and still now) you encourage even when I upload half done shonky ideas, unfinished sometimes out of tune tracks but not giving up on me and that's why people like you here have helped me reach the point where I'm about to release a third album. Thanks always Stoney - and I look forward to still listening to more of your music xxx
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Larree
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11/1/2024 2:02:24 PM
I feel like I'm half my age. ... after I've been awake for a few hours.
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Paul groover
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11/1/2024 7:55:12 PM
I will tell you this there is a number of artists and bands that would have been insta bookings for Wizard festival. There was three big tents circus and an open air stage. Mega watts 2 day festival for 75 quid. The money worked until the local things started hassling us. Demanding money for something that was already thought about.
We were not sure to do on this occasion the decision was shut it down. The last band on the open air was the Stranglers because it was my fav band and we got Jet Black. Just before he passed away. Someone had to be behind him so to push him up so he could play the drums
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Gregg-Sterling30
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11/3/2024 1:04:16 PM
Look into HGH, that can turn your clock back 10 years if used the right way.
There's a natural way to accomplish the same results also.
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