It's All Graceland

When You Create the Contrast

Bassist Bakithi Kumalo with Scott Mulvahill & Friends, Analog/Hutton Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee 12.31.23

Because the third episode of the podcast Music & Meaning just happened to land on January 2nd, I had to work on New Years Day. Don't shed any tears for me. The night before I'd been out till 1:30 in the morning—my first New Year's Eve venture like this since being diagnosed with the neuro-disorder, central sensitization, seven years ago. I like to think this night of clubbing, dare I say partying, means I'm getting better. The actual partying consisted of getting my groove on to a stellar night of life-giving music from bassist/singer-songwriter Scott Mulvahill.

Scott, along with friends, including the always inspirational Beth Nielsen Chapman, played a wide mix of songs (and come on, Jesse Isley is a beast of a guitar player). Then, at 11PM, they performed the entire Graceland album by the American treasure, Paul Simon, complete with a guest appearance from the album's bassist, South African, Bakithi Kumalo (who is the same age as me). Like me, Bakithi seemed pleased to be awake, surrounded by world-class musicians, and not on some couch somewhere. It was glorious and artful. Scott even debuted some songs with his Database invention using sounds I created, available in my ELEMENTS producer sample pack. Andi and I double-dated with our friends Scott & Mackenzie from Atlanta and they were given the full-on, Only-In-Nashville experience. I couldn’t get to sleep until 2:30. It was gratitude that kept me up.

Then, like everyone else, I woke up to 2024. I'm hearing lots of hope and equal amounts fear and concern for what this year holds for us.

I'm leaning into this idea. It may be helpful to you too. I call it Create the Contrast. A basic principle of artmaking for life-making. It could be a project (a way of being) for all citizens with a mission of social healing—a daily commitment to awaken our imaginations to live and create in stark contrast to division, contempt, and dehumanization. For me, I've identified and hope to practice ten inspiring and sustainable ways of being that lead to human flourishing: Artfulness, Curiosity, Empathy, Forgiveness, Generosity, Gratitude, Humility, Justice, Kindness and Love.

I think each of these could be a deep well of inspiration for living so that moral, ethical, and creative contrast is a natural outcome—every day. What do you think? Could it help?

What now? Life, and more life.

I'm heading upstairs to the studio to record my voiceover for episode four of Music & Meaning. It’s all about St. Augustine reappearing on the scene, putting on some Apple EarPods and listening to the Top 40. Then it's on to finishing the script for the episode on Sister Rosetta Tharpe and prepping for my interview with Dr. Leah Payne, author of the upcoming book, God Gave Rock & Roll to You. Then a doctor's appointment and probably a nap.

If you've yet to listen to Music & Meaning (three episodes now) please do. And, if you like it, comment and click those stars and such (the link will take you to three listening options). Reacting to the podcast really does help in the grand scheme of things—especially funding to keep it going. It’s love for me, but for Spotify and Apple and the like, I’m pretty sure it’s business.

There's so many places to Create the Contrast, to apply those ten ways of being. Find somewhere to begin today. I'm rooting for you. On your team. Peace and love.