Sally Rea Morris’ ‘Country State of Mind’ #4 – Let the Music do the Talking
When you put music into the world you are asking for people to listen to you and judge you, but you’re not asking for everyone to like it. For every successful songwriter or musician, you will still find an army of haters.
The beauty of music is how you feel about it is entirely personal. You can share a song, but you can’t control the sensory reactions. Music holds the control and it has the ability to consume you. Songs can make you feel pain or take it away for both the writer or the listener. For this reason, I believe music is infinitely powerful because there is no limit to how many combinations of lyrics and notes can fit together in your lifetime.
The power of music aside, not all music is there to change the world. Some musicians make music because they love doing it, others perform covers because it’s the way they pay the bills, and there are many other reasons that I don’t feel require validation because who are we to judge?
Therefore, I find it incredibly uncomfortable to watch musicians tear other musicians apart for the sake of differences in opinion. There are so many challenges working in this industry, so to go to war with your peers and even fans is an interesting tactic.
It’s very easy to criticise people you don’t know much about, because of course taking the time to get to know a person requires communication, and due to social media I sometimes wonder whether people have forgotten basic communication skills and manners.
I have a voice and I have an opinion, but there’s a big difference between expressing what you feel and being rude.
“Of course I have my opinion about everybody and everything, but I learned a long time ago to keep your damn mouth shut if you want to stay in show business. I’m not in politics. I’m an entertainer. ” – Dolly Parton
Supporting others isn’t exactly in a job description, because last time I checked there wasn’t a formal application to be filled in to perform music or to moderate the quality, however I feel it is good practice to show a little respect to anyone you encounter both professionally or personally.
So basically, you may think my taste in music sucks and I think you are entitled to your opinion, but choose your timing wisely if you must share your views because being too opinionated might isolate your audience and abuse the very people that give you a platform to have a voice. Scream as loud as you want, it doesn’t do much good if nobody is listening. Let the music do the talking rather than your ego.
