An interviewer asked me this question the other day regarding my career, "What motivates you to continue doing what you're doing?" My answer was simple.
Music still inspires me.
It's a constant companion. Whether front and center in my job or as field for my daily routine, it's always there. I don't devour new music the way I used to, but I still find good stuff. Ryan Adams' Easy Tiger and Pete Yorn's Nightcrawler are recent faves. And Jonny Lloyd Rollins from Denton, Texas makes some damn fine music too.
Speaking of Texas, I miss Dallas. Denise misses it too. We love our new home in the South Hills and the kids are having terrific experiences with our families and friends, but what I wouldn't give for margaritas and fajitas at Mi Cocina or a free concert by Los Lobos at the art museum downtown.
I love how music can evoke specific times and places. When I listen to the Love Is Hell CD by the aforementioned Mr. Adams I'm transported back to White Rock Lake and feeding the patos with Sofia. And anytime I hear Ryan's old band Whiskeytown I can see myself walking through Pittsburgh's South Side toward Nick's Fat City circa 1998. Who needs a time machine when you've got an iPod?
Ten years from now I'll hear Pearls on a String and think about Denise and how we'd just moved into the house and how young the girls were and wasn't that a great time way back in o-seven. Music will be there, adding the soundtrack to new memories and taking notes along the way so you don't have to. That's why you know what color Denise's sweater was that night you got together on the South Side back in '98. It's because of Ryan Adams.
Thanks dude.
(It was pink…and fuzzy)
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I've got some solo shows coming up. This Wednesday, October 17th I'll be at Thursdays in Bridgewater, PA. Cover is only $5 at the door and I'm gonna play all night long 'cause Grandma's watching the kids and Mommy and Daddy need to get out. I'm also playing solo dates in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Arlington, Virginia in November. As always, check out www.scottblasey.com and www.myspace.com/scottblaseymusic for show details and www.clarksonline.com for band stuff. So come out and see me. It's been too long. I'll sing show tunes. We'll have a Jager and a Parliament.
Cheers, Scott