I've written several blogposts on what the "value" of music stands for today, and by value, I mean not only economically, but intellectually, artistically and generationally. Music has always held a special place, both in my heart and in my life. I learned of country music — and I mean REAL country, like Hank, Willie and Waylon — as well Elvis Presley from my mother. I had the distinct privilege of working in the music industry and desigining album covers for artists I loved and respected for a good portion of my life. And I was able to pay it forward by raising daughters who love the Beatles and can sing along with Willie, Loretta, the Dead and Bob Marley. I love music. As Frank Zappa once said "Music is everyting..." Hell, I even wrote an open letter to Letterman when he had a computer mascot for a Japanese software company as his musical guest instead of — you know — REAL musicians.
Last night, I came across perhaps the best distillation of the "value" of music on cuepoint at medium.com by Craig Havighurst. He hits all of the right notes, in a very concise, logical and dispassionate (in the best way) possible and presents a lot of food for thought of how one can (and should — again, my opinion) consume and support music. He lists context, the death of radio, the current media's lack of support, conflation and the battle for your entertainment dollar. He also delves into some of my pet peeves‚ the stupidity and "dumbing-down" (my words, not his) of today's pop music and the role school budget cuts have made in (not) creating intellecutally and artistically curious young people.
If you love music...I mean REALLY love music, this is a must-read and thought-provoking article about what music means. Read it. And then listen to it. Play it. Sing it. Teach it. And support it.
Read Craig Havighurst's take here.
#musicmatters #cuepoint #craighavighurst
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