PLAIN FOLK by Billy Jones Many years ago, humorist and philosopher Will Rogers said, “I’ve never met a man I didn’t like.” Hmmm! My father, my hero, and best friend, used to say, “I never met a man I didn’t like something about.” This made more sense to me. My dad would also say, “Look for the good in a man because the bad always reveals itself.” I think this could apply to almost anything or anyone; including music or musicians. When a young player or singer is encouraged to perform before a live audience, there is no telling how far he or she will go. It’s exciting and many of them are asked to either join a band or they form a band of their own. After that, their popularity relies on how many friends or what kind of following they manage to gather. The road to the top is long and there are sacrifices. Just read up on Terri Clark or, better still, read Stompin’ Tom Connors’ books. His life story can give you an idea of what it’s really like to start from the bottom. It was a difficult road for Tom because he chose to remain in Canada. Top performers become role models for the new talent that follows so their behavior should be impeccable or, at least, reasonable. This is important because every bad habit they reveal is often copied and magnified by new entertainers and many fans. Life changes for a star performer. It limits the amount of time he or she can spend with family. Lengthy conversations with friends and fans are shortened considerably, especially just before and after a concert. Good friends will often understand that free time to a star is limited. But fans who knew them before the fame often feel ignored and hurt. After the fame, daily life can be hectic. Recordings that put an artist on top require many hours of work. Then promotional concerts and tours have to be organized to maintain popularity. After that, they have to spend time composing and then more practice hours to produce equally good recordings to keep them successful. Their life is no longer their own. Just imagine how many times a star entertainer would have to answer the same questions asked by old friends and fans in a single day if they walked through a hometown mall. A lady from Medicine Hat wrote that she felt snubbed by Terri Clark when she met her by chance in Calgary. Apparently, Terri could not stop to talk to this friend from home. Ron Larson and I got no more than a howdy and a hug when she was in Medicine Hat even though it was Ron who first discovered her and invited her to sing with our band. It would help to understand why a star can’t stop and howdy for a while. But even a wave and a smile of recognition would be enough for me. Interlocking Solutions - website manager |