Inspiration is a Funny Thing

Have you ever heard a song, that just makes you stop in your tracks?  A song that affects you - not just in the music, but also in the lyrics?  A song that seems to truly speak to who you are and who you want to be.

As much as I love music, as much as I am moved by music, this doesn't happen often.  And really, it shouldn't.  If every song you hear is life changing - then maybe there are bigger issues going on.  But anyways.

As I said, a song with this much power, is not something I encounter often.  Honestly, I can only think of one other song that has hit me so strongly - and maybe one day I will write about it.

But for now, I continue the story of last Saturday night.....

So Elenowen is no longer on stage, Lainie and I are running high from the energy in the room, and we are waiting - rather impatiently....

The band was on stage - getting things set up.  They put the set list down and we immediately hunted for our favorite songs.  1 of my 2, that I really, really wanted to hear was on there - "What I Know Right Now."  And the one that Lainie wanted to hear - "Everythings Right" was also there.  Needless to say, we were pumped, okay, excited, okay, ecstatic.

And..the time came.  Matt Wertz took the stage!

So he started with his classic jean jacket - which didn't last long - cause even though it was FREEZING outside - it was quite warm in the room.

That is one well loved guitar!

The following video is of one of my favorite songs off of Heatwave.  It was great to hear it live - and great to hear the conversation between artist and fans.

simply put - this song is beautiful - in melody and in lyrics

And like that...the show was done.  However, like any good artist - there was an encore.  The encore made my night.  Truly, it did.

You know how earlier, I was talking about songs that change your world - and that there was a song that was not on the playlist?  Well, on Heatwave (Matt's newest album), there is a song called "Thing About Freedom."  Something about that song struck a chord with me.  In fact, it was so powerful, that I have been struggling to write the blog about this song - and it has been out for two months.

In this song - Matt sings "The thing about freedom, that's so misunderstood - just because you can, doesn't mean you should."  To me, that is something that we often forget.  It is something that we like to throw in each other's faces.  How many kids say, well I'm 18, so I can do what I want?  Or how many adults make terrible decisions, because we have the freedom to do so?  Every day - terrible decisions are made - and many times, it seems that it happens because it can.  Not because we want it to be so, not because we are dreaming of the outcome - but because we have the "right" to do it.

I know that I am not making a ton of sense right now, maybe one day the words will come to me, that will allow me to describe the impact this song has had on me.  But for now, please listen - listen to the whole thing - try to hear the lyrics.

Following this song, Matt & the band, along with Elenowen, came out into the middle of the floor.  Really - I mean the middle of the audience.  They all grabbed instruments and did an amazing rendition of "Sing My Lonesome Away."

And if you watched the video - you heard the crazy cheer that went up within the first minute - no - that wasn't for the band - the Detroit Tigers were on the television behind the bar and had just taken the lead....

And now the night was done....Or at least the show was.  Lainie and I were lucky enough to be able to grab pictures with Elenowen & Matt Wertz.

And now - our night was truly over.  But we could not have wished for a better night.

However, because I want you to be able to appreciate Matt's music - and concert videos aren't always the best - check out these two songs.

This is the song I also had above here....

This is the song Lainie was waiting to hear - and he did play it - I just don't have it on video

So...What is the moral of all this?  What is the purpose behind tonight's blog?  Cause really, it's been a bit long.  Number 1 - Matt Wertz puts on an amazing show.  I would see him again anytime.  Number 2 - Nothing is better than a good concert with a good friend.  Number 3 - Inspiration can hit you any time - in any number of ways - and normally, it is when you are least expecting it.  Number 4 - Remember - Just because you can Does Not mean you should.  

Despite all the beautiful music above, I have no choice but to make my song of the day be "Thing About Freedom" by Matt Wertz.  And if you just jumped through all the pics and videos to read what I am typing - go back up and listen to that song.  No really - do it.

Good night.

Decisions, Decisions

I started this blog to talk about dreams and music.  For me, most of the time, these two items are intertwined.

This past week has been a very stressful time.  Work has been a challenge, construction (as ever) is continuing at my home, and I have some very large decisions to make.  As this is a public forum, I prefer not to share too many details, so just know that the decisions are kind of a big deal.

In my life, stress leads to dreams.  Dreams lead to songs being stuck in my head.  Except this week.  I have had zero music running through my brain.  I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate that.  Music and lyrics have meaning for me, so the lack of these is pretty bizarre.

So after several days of stress, tears, debates, and getting opinions from anyone I could...I was on my drive home last night.  I put in the newest cd from Matt Wertz (ok, honestly, it has been on repeat in my car since I got it) and lost myself in the beautiful music.

And then THE song came on.  The one that spoke to me.  The one that brought me peace.  Is there a better feeling than that?

"What I Know Right Now" by Matt Wertz

Looking back, I was so naive / To think the world was spinning round me / I kept on pushin' but it didn't budge / Kept on tryin' but it never was / I thought that I could pave my way / But the truth had something else to say
Climbing high, falling low / Hanging on, letting go / Sometimes it takes a crooked road to figure out / Oh, I wish I'd known what I know right now
There's something working out there / That's bigger than us / It's hard to see and it's hard to trust / It's leading us home, sending us signs / Putting back the pieces of paradise

Don't misunderstand now, but please know that I am not letting music make my life decisions for me.  I am simply using music to clear my head, to allow me to relax, to provide a new insight.

And once again, it worked for me.  So let me leave you with this thought.  Hard decisions will come in our lives, there is no avoiding that.  What matters is how we handle those hard decisions.  I won't say I'm great at it, but the key is to find what gets you through them.  To find the people, the music, the bible verses - whatever it is that helps you during tough times.  Find those things, cling to them, listen to them, and open your mind.  For you never know when a different point of view will appear, you never know when a stroke of genius will hit, you never know what may be sitting in front of you, waiting for you to open your eyes.

I'm sure it's obvious, but my song of the day is "What I Know Right Now" by Matt Wertz

And today, I add a bible verse - John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Relay for Life 2013...Welcome to CandyLand

Every summer there are things that are a staple in my life.  One of those is participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.  Many people know about this, and many people don't.  For those who don't, here is a summary.  This is a 24 hour team event.  You develop your team, you raise money, and then comes the event.  At ours, we are at a city park, teams lined along the track.  You decorate according to the theme for that year, and then you walk.  As a team, you keep someone on the track for all 24 hours.  The idea is that cancer never sleeps, so for one day, neither will we.  Lots of other events happen during this 24 hours, including a silent auction, special laps, a survivor ceremony, and a luminaria ceremony. 

The luminaria ceremony is the most special time for me, every year.  It is when we light luminaries with the names of those who have won the battle against cancer, and those whom we have lost in that battle.  It is a time of quiet, of silence, of music, of tears, of memories.  Every year it is a new experience, and one that I never forget.

While many tears are shed during that hour, the event also includes laughs and excitement.  Below are pictures from this years event.  It was a wonderful time, and one that I look forward to again next year.

 Our team site.  The event theme was games, so we chose CandyLand

 Check out the balloon lollipops, we made them!!!

 Inside our canopy

 Ms Relay is a staple competition at our event

 Alec was our Princess Lollipop

Liz, Lainie, & I had amazing glasses for the light up lap

During the luminaria ceremony, the guitarist performed his version of a song.  A song which spoke to the pain of losing someone you love.  A song about losing someone too early.  So today, as I remember Relay, my song of the day is Wesley, Why? by Matt Wertz.