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My original post from April, 2012
I was born in 1957. That makes me 50 something. That makes the artists I grew up listening to even older than that. I've been obsessed with music my whole life. I guess you'd call me a veteran music fan. And them, veteran artists.
Eagles, Rundgren, Springsteen, JT, Frampton, Clapton, McCartney, Nicks, Elton, Jethro, Cat, just to name a handful, all know how lucky they are to have launched a music career back in the day. Back then, if you made great music, the powers that be (label + radio) could work magic for you.
Of course these veterans got their inspiration from somewhere or someone they grew up listening to, most likely. I'm sure they spent many a night practicing, listening, imitating, and dreaming about the great they aspired to be. But I wonder - how many got to actually meet their idols? I wonder how many were lucky enough to jam with them or be mentored by them? Share the limelight with them?
If you know an aspiring artist (or perhaps you are one) you understand the idol thing. If you visit an aspiring artist the evidence is everywhere - the posters, the music, the look, the sound of their master is front center in their universe. They want to emulate that voice, that vibe. If they're smart, they won't copy it, but will use it as inspiration for their personal sound.
Many of the veteran artists are still performing. You and I go to their shows. Some can still sing, some parts & pieces of their band have been replaced, some have pursued solo careers, some have teamed up with other greats to create a supergroup, and many can still sell out an arena. They're still lucky. The magic of the past sprinkled them with "forever" dust that keeps their music alive in our souls, keeps them relevant. How lucky is that?
But a few veteran artists are running an extra lap around the music block with an encore of a different kind. They're going to bat for the young up & coming artists who are trying to make it in today's music world. They're sharing their past & their limelight with the future. It's an impressive way to give back. What they don't realize is how good this makes them look.
Daryl Hall is one. In November, 2007 he launched a free monthly web show called "Live from Daryl's House" where he invites guest artists to his farm in Millerton, NY to jam with him in his home studio. It's a house concert of a different kind. Early press states, "part of the magic of these shows is the imperfection, the spontaneity of the musicians and Daryl Hall's talent.. "
Although he's hosted music greats like Smokey Robinson, Todd Rundgren and The Temptations, and newer greats like Ceelo Green, Guster, KT Tunstall and Train -- his desire to invite lesser known emerging artists is where the giving-back kicks in bigtime. He provides a stage to showcase a vetted guest to HIS very large audience with Daryl as curator, producer, promoter and influencer. The ultimate launch pad for a performing artist.
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