July 2008: The Music in Your Head

(More blog entries from kellykelly)

I woke up with a song in my head this morning. This was not it.

But at some point this morning I remembered this song.  For the past 5 months I've been working in the production department for an event company that shall remain nameless.  The CEO had a mandate on the XM radio that only certain channels were allowed to be listened to in the office.  For whatever reason this meant almost no hip hop got played but for some crazy reason there was an over abudance of 80s music.  Now I can dig on some 80s music just like the next girl with leg warmers but this could sometimes turn into ALL 80S, ALL THE TIME for weeks on end until someone finally hit the classical music button.  (Oh, and no ipods at the desks with ear phones allowed. Pfft.)

So at some point we're in the metal-big-hair station of the 80s and on comes Scorpions' Wind of Change.  And suddenly I was transported out of my little cubicle...

The world closing in
Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers
The future's in the air
I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change

Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
In the wind of change

Look, its easy for me to make some Obama references here.   There are some deep changes going on in this country right now and I think come November every American is going to have to get honest with him or herself on a new level - and that is a good thing.  Regardless of who you vote for, the reality of our world, the economy, the change in New York City, and so many of the issues we're facing, hitting us on a day to day level, that the level of engagement is personal.

I had tickets to Lincoln Center's Festival to see the National Theater of Scotland's version of The Bacchae on Tuesday night.  I brought Sarah Hooper who was syched to go see theater - as we both are often going to music shows again and again.  Alan Cummings was fantastic - I mean that - I really really mean that.  Forget his naked butt entrance; the guy can act rings around a 50 ft stage with just his eyebrow. But there were some real tragic errors in the show.  Sorry guys, but fake nerf-ball severed head covered in caro syrup doesn't cut it.  But here's the change: When I've gone to see Broadway shows for the past several years the audience stands up at the end, even if they've been served the most mediorce piece of spectacle ever.  Nooo - not Tuesday night.  The audience applauded, was appreciative of the hard work of the production - but they were not going to give it an obligatory standing O.

That's not mean.  It's just honest.  And that's change.

Crown Point has made me get honest with myself on many levels. And here's one: I am not an emerging artist.  Or at least not anymore.  The reality is that its time to find the young artists and put this in their hands.  The Board and I have the responsibility to make sure things are not just stabalized but also a platform for the mission and that mission is built off of the desires of artists who are fresh out of college or starting their bands or theater companies or working for a film exec.

This is going to be my last year producing Crown Point.  Three years.  That's a good number.  And its a good thing to turn this over to others who believe in what we do. 

The change in this economy has brought up a lot among friends about what we do, what we want to do, the state of our jobs and careers.  One friend I spoke to yesterday about wanting to leave her current job but she fears of the prospect of getting another one in this economy.  (Hint: If you want another job, don't be afraid. They are out there.) And what we started to think of together was when you really look at some places is, you have to honestly ask yourself first, does this place hold the potential to be the ideal you want it to be?  If not, then it might be time to move on.  The reality is all companies have some level of suck.  I don't know anyone who doesn't at least roll their eyes about something with their job sometimes. But does a place really hold potential to fulfill? 

I can honestly say Crown Point has offered me that.  And my deciding to just serve as a Board member after this year has nothing to do with my love of this organization, the mistakes or achievements we've made, financials, workload, etc etc etc.  It has simply to do with the fact that its time to put this in the hands of the next generation.  My goal for this year is to fix the issues we have, create a killer festival this fall, leave things in order for the next leaders to take over and be a major supporter in the rest of their future.

So the song I woke up with in my head this morning - and I think its related to a lot in my life right now - is by Band of Horses: No Ones Ever Gonna Love You More Than I Do.

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