Jonathots Daily Blog
(1963)
The show was done.
I made my way from the stage to my book table. I am of a mind to believe that the audience has been so kind to grant me an hour of its attention–I certainly can give them a moment or two of my ears.
I learn so much by listening to those who pass in front of me. Even those who never stop at my table to speak teach me that it’s not my job to reach the whole world, just those who can hear my pitch.
But tonight, when I finished in Suttons Bay, a lovely woman came to my side and told me she had written a song. She didn’t know what to do with it. I asked her if it had ever been performed. Once, at the church, she offered.
She then asked me if I would like to hear it. Assuming she had a CD copy of the performance, I said yes. Then all of a sudden, she burst into song. Well, burst is too strong a word. She gently eased her way into sharing her beautiful melody.
- I was enthralled.
- I was blessed.
- I was intrigued.
- I was a little embarrassed by the fact that I had anticipated something quite different.
But mostly, I was attune.
She sang three verses, including a key change she had inserted into her arrangement. As she performed the tune a capella, in front of me, my producer brain began to insert strings, guitars and harmonics into what I was hearing. Before too long, I had an entire orchestration running through my head as I listened to her continue her composition.
All at once she stopped singing and said, “I don’t know what to do with it.”
I gave her a few guidelines on getting a lead sheet made and a recording, but what I didn’t tell her was that the music business is so filled with favoritism and preoccupation with popularity that it is rare that anything new is allowed to wedge its way into the scene.
As she walked away, I took a second to try to remember the melody–to hum it in my spirit.
I thought about how wonderful it is to believe in heaven. Not for the streets of gold, gates of pearl, or angelic choirs, but rather, to finally arrive at a place where all the inspirational classics that never were able to be promoted and heard will be sung, extolled and produce praise.
All the books that were rejected out of hand by careless publishers will be on the shelves, available to the redeemed souls, to become redeemed again.
All the unrequited lovers will find their satisfaction.
All the dreamers will taste the sweetness of their unachieved aspirations.
It will be a place of fulfillment. It will be a land where we will not be intimidated to hear someone burst into song because they have been inspired.
She sang to me…and it was very special.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about personal appearances or scheduling an event
Jonathots Daily Blog 