A curious experience for any aging artist: the day when your work becomes OLDER than you were when you made it.
Albums age like people—it’s so easy to find the flaws. The dour earnestness, the inexperience, the unfettered seriousness…. But I’ve been trying to focus on the laugh lines now, as they’ve become more pronounced over the years. Laughter seems to be the best balm for the indignities of aging and the embarrassment of remembering.
Case in point: “I have become cumbersome.” l mean, what the hell was I thinking?
You have to laugh. You just have to.
My 16YO already seems to get the laughter thing (most days ;-)). Like when she walked into her Anatomy class one morning to find her teacher, an old school 7M3 fan, playing the “Cumbersome" video on the giant projector screen at the front of the room. In a swirl of embarrassment and pride, she just had to laugh. What else could she do?! I love that kid. And shout-out to Mr. E!
I look at this picture from today’s post that Steve Balcom took from the side stage of the 10-year anniversary at HOB in O-town, and I’m flooded with the kind of nostalgia that makes aging seem okay. I remember re-tying my shoes (huh?) right before I went onstage. I remember my wife being pregnant and luminous. I remember mom and dad in the balcony. I remember being surrounded by family, friends, and long-time fans. I remember feeling in that space and time on that stage what it is to feel at home.
That night at the HOB is a show I will remember forever. The band moved as one. It was perfect. We just were well…us. Magic.
What a wild, surprising ride it’s been. You just have to laugh. Even if it’s through tears of gratitude.
I can’t believe I still fit into that jacket. ;-)
If you were there, thank you for making me feel like a real rock star for a minute. I carry that with me still.
You made me feel strangely at home.
Yours,
JR
I wish I could have been there, sounds like it would have been the ultimate concert from you legends. Sadly being in Australia I never got a chance to see 7M3 live. Thanks to Youtube and your live acoustic DVD I get to enjoy your concerts on my big screen and imagine being there. A live electric concert on dvd or preferably blu-ray is on my wish list if you ever managed to put one together along your travels would be awesome. Don't ever think you're too old to get out there and make many people the world over happy again including yourselves. Your music lives deeply in the hearts of so many people and we are all grateful for that. Cheers and keep smiling mate :)
Thank you for a concert I will never forget! I actually got a cd autographed by you. Appreciate all the posts and it was the Best concert ever!