Playing with Pigs

The recent rehearsal in Savannah was a blast.  Thanks to TScott and Tambourine Grrl, Duke, SG (nice new bass!) and certainly to Julie for helping make it happen.  The show was incredibly fun for me because I don't usually have such an 'out front' role.  At this gig, I was filling the rather large shoes of Bruce the Almighty.  Stretching out and showing off what meager noodling I can muster on lead guitar felt outstanding.  I will however be quite content to have B th A return to the right side of the stage (wasn't the same w/o you Bruce).  Maybe I'll have a chance to steal a little lead time here and there down the road...
So driving the 6 hours home, I had time a'plenty to wax philosophical.
I suppose playing music and being part of that 'brotherhood' or 'community' is like any other hobbie/enthusiast group in some regard. We have our own speciallized equipment, and our own 'language' (e.g. "Man, the rectifier wasn't match biased with the drive valve and my amp sounds like crap"). I think generally the difference with musicians is that most people have hobbies because they want to; we play music because we have to. Playing and performing is grafted to us at a deep level, tied to us emotionally. Why else would anyone drive 6 hours to play 3 hours for free to a group of tired, moderately interested conference attendees; then pack up and drive another 6 hours home? It isn't logical.
When we play it refocuses our lives for a few hours. Ordinary worries and responsibilities deminish and blur, are forgotten. One of my favorite movie scenes (although it has been copied now in many films) is in the Blues Brothers when Jake and Elwood finally get the band together and are playing the big show, and the cops show up. But, they don't storm the stage and cuff the band, they let them keep on playing. That's what playing music does, it redeems us and protects us for a while.
Who doesn't need that?

Comments

[Duke]

Very well stated RR! For that sliver of time when we get together and the band is rockin, everything else takes a backseat. That intense feeling on the bandstage cannot be adequately be described to anyone thats not been there.

Duke

[T Scott]

Absolutely right!! I went thirteen years without playing in public after I got married the first time. When I started up again about fifteen years ago, I could hardly believe what I'd been allowing myself to miss and I promised that I'd never let that happen to me again. The coming together of the Bearded Pigs has been a pretty astonishing and wonderful set of coincidences. It was clearly meant to be!

[SG]

And Russell, you're way too modest. You clearly rocked in Savannah, no two ways about it. I wish we could've gone on another few hours...

[Bruce the Almighty]

Wish I had been there. I miss not being able to play with you guys on a regular basis as it gives me such a high.. and I agree with SG who says you are way too modest - I am sure you were awesome!!