Last Thursday in preparation for the big DangerCouch show, I made midday pit stop at Visible School, host of this years festivities. humor-blogs.com
Visible School, for those somewhat less than tragically hip to the post modern music scene, is a cutting edge music school. This venerable institution is what brought me and the Comma Clan to the muggy depths of Memphis, and it is where the members of DangerCouch first met.
With a definite and declared focus on modern music, any visit to Visible is just about assured to bring you into contact with any number young, strangely dressed, and possibly pierced collegians.
Which is what marked the conservatively attired, somewhat older gentleman who walked up to me as a visitor.
As he smiled and made pleasantries with me, I realized that he must be the guest lecturer, come to address the school that afternoon. He and his presentation were a subject of some impatience to me, a bottleneck that was restraining my urgent, high-level Christmas show preparations.
In my life-experiences I have encountered enough arrogant musicians and small time “stars” to inspire me to really go out of my way to introduce myself and generally puncture any developing celebrity mystique on the few occasions that I find myself the center of public attention.
I have also encountered enough racism and overall small-mindedness, especially since I have come to Memphis, that I also try to make an extra effort to at least acknowledge anyone who might feel on the outside of unspoken racial/cultural barriers whenever I can.
All these considerations raced through my head as I faced the visitor, one of just a few black faces in a crowd of lighter hued individuals.
But on this day there was no time.
So, in one the brief, unspoken decisions that make up human consciousness, I instead launched into the myriad of mundane chores that are the reality of the glamorous rock and roll experience: hauling amps, running power, and preparing the merchandise.
And that is how I narrowly avoided meeting jazz great Kirk Whalum, whose music I have enjoyed for many years.
It would have been nice to really talk with him, or at least say that I had met him, but a star of my magnitude simply has no time for little people on my path to greatness.
It looks like “they,” that anonymous fount of inerrant information, was right after all:
It really is lonely at the top.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Awe, this has stuck with you even after the concert (such a humble man). You could always see if the school has his number (although they may not be able to give it out) and you could call him. I bet he would appreciate it. You could say, “ Hello Mr. Whalum you probably do not remember me but I was the arrogant little turd that was too busy to give you the time of day…”
I once sold a stuffed Mickey Mouse doll to Bruce Dickinson (lead singer of Iron Maiden) and I didn’t know until after he walked out of the store. It failed to impress me much, however, since I didn’t then and still don’t much like Iron Maiden, so I suppose it’s a slightly different scenario.
(The doll was for his baby daughter, and he did strike me as extremely nice and polite.)
Debbie,
Good one, I think arrogant little turd about sums up that one. Usually Brent is slightly more intelligent than that, but we will give him some slack due to his stimulus overload for the concert.
Hey Camille,
So who was the arrogant little turd that was not able to show up for the concert and maybe meet a Comma or two? Um…that would be me!! (I really wanted to go…honest!)
You are married to the most humble and intelligent man I know (well, I don’t know him but you know what I mean…that’s the impression I get).
I will most definitely cut him some slack due to the triple “e” effect (enormous exertion of energy) of any concert promoter, star, & clean up crew.
I’m not so sure that self-absorption + honesty = humility.
But it may equal Seinfeld.
Yes Debbie, I could probably find him, but what would I say that didn’t involve bowel movements?
Commerce with the tattooed millionaire? Wolf, you are a man of unsuspected connections.
Where did you work, St. Simon’s Home For Wayward Rockstars?
ouch
It may be lonely at the top, but you do get a marvelous view of the people passing beneath you.
Sure it does.
You can either be humble or a turd. You can’t have it both ways.
Thank you for sacrificing your pride to introduce me to Kirk Whalum’s music.
(Obviously I live a sheltered existence, but you’ll have to talk to Dr. T about that. Maybe a strong dose of Kirk’s music will help.)
Ok, maybe the Jazz movement would be more on topic…whatever floats your bowel..er..uh..boat.
No, although I did volunteer at St. Simon’s for a semester. I worked at Toys ‘R’ Us in Phoenix, and Bruce stopped by before a concert. I couldn’t figure out why all of my co-workers were whispering and giggling and pointing and it wasn’t at me.
I’m glad I could be there at Visible school (this is Kirk Whalum) and really glad it exists! What an awesome opportunity we have to shape culture and direct people to The Answer through our creativity (rather than just hoping they show up at the steeple crying “what must I do to be saved.”
I’m all over this vision. Vive la difference!
Kirk
I must say, after reading about Visible School, it is quite a unique combination of religion and the arts. I had no idea this cherished little gem of a place was right here.
Not having much of a religious background or upbringing (until much much later in life), I would have loved to have been exposed to such a place.
I get the feeling Visible School extends a very positive vibe in all that it provides to its students in that it is more than an education but a way of life.
Interesting…
Remember, the same people you meet on the way up are the one you land on on the way down.
I’m just glad that something good came out of this.
Thank you for coming, both to Visible and to this site.
I appreciate your music and the generous way you share your life with others.
I am sorry that I got my priorities a little twisted around, and I hope that someday I will have another opportunity to meet you and thank you in person for all you have done.
You are fairly correct. Visible is an absolutely unique community and experience.
It is not a cocktail-like mixture of disparate elements, but rather an organic expression of art and faith and life shared together. (Without a commune.)
It does also become a way of life, as attested to by the growing list of people like myself who came for the school but stayed for the people.
It is also only fair to mention that it is not all sunshine and roses in a community like Visible. Genuinely loving and serving people (the two are pretty much interchangeable) takes effort and stubborn determination.
It is much more difficult than the multitude of 60’s hippy songs led people to believe.
In fact, I am thinking about writing a new song called “All We Need Is Love And A Good HMO.”
?
??