Jam sessions are messy.
This last week, while attending the annual conference of the National Speakers Association, known as Influence, I had the opportunity to jam and play music with several friends, colleagues, and strangers. Not once, not twice, but three times.
It is kind of a tradition at this conference.
Over three nights, a revolving cast of characters showed up.
We sat around in an empty conference room with guitars, harmonicas, and a keyboard. We improvised a drum kit with drum sticks and a chair. People who didn’t play an instrument pulled up lyrics on their phones and sang along. Some people just sat and listened.
We usually started at the end of the night, when our voices were already shot from networking and talking all day. We were tired.
There may have been drinks involved.
And, if I’m honest, it wasn’t always…let’s just say…
the most sophisticated musical experience.
Too many guitars playing at once, missed chord changes, forgotten lyrics, voices slightly off pitch, a showboater hogging the stage.
(I’ll admit…it was me.)
A spilt beer on the floor.
(I’ll admit…that was also me.)
But every now and then, something magical would happen.
Maybe it was an Eagles song, or a hit from the 80’s, every now and then we found ourselves completely aligned. In the zone. In a chorus of harmony, in tune and in time, 10 or more voices and instruments just nailing it.
And, for a moment, it was perfect.
And that’s why we do it.
All of these people with varying degrees of musical talents, or none at all, drawn together by a passion. A love of music. A love of community, being surrounded by friends – and strangers who will soon become friends – all uniting around the power of a song written by Bob Dylan or the Beatles, or even Beyonce.
A feeling of momentary togetherness.
This annual jam session is where I’ve made some of the best friendships, had some of my best moments, and experienced the feeling of sheer euphoria.
So, yeah, you might not walk by and hear the polish and panache of Pavarotti.
You would be forgiven for hearing the little inconsistencies and large discrepancies. (Wait? Is this Sitting on the Dock of the Bay? I was playing Stand By Me!)
But if you look closely at any pictures taken on those nights, you’d notice something…
A smile. Then another.
Then another.
Every single person, myself included, just happy to be in that moment, singing together.
Yes, it’s messy.
And I can’t wait to do it every year.
Love to you all.
Rick
Speaking of music…
I write and sing songs.
And I’m pretty darn good at it! I’ve written six albums of original music, I was a finalist in a national songwriter’s competition. I don’t suck!
But what I’m not good at is promoting it. Don’t know why, that’s a topic for another time, but do me a favor…look it up.
Go to Spotify, Amazon Music, wherever you listen to music and take a listen. If you find a song you like, add it to a playlist, share it, sing it!
Tell me what you think!
Thank you for your support!
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