Tom Petty is still doin it.
He reminds me how stale and lame most music sounds these days.
No songs. No poetry. Like having Lunchables for dinner. Yuk. There's a reason why most of my musical heroes are old or dead.
Tom Petty was sure alive and well last night at the local enormo-dome (Bridgestone Arena) here in Nashville. The sound of those places is always shit, but it don't matter. The songs are there. And the Heartbreakers always deliver the goods.
One of my earliest heroes, Tom Petty is still relevant after almost 40 years! His career is as long as I am! And the new album sounds rich and inspired. Ageless. My favorites from the new album, Hypnotic Eye, upon first listen: Red River, Fault Lines, Forgotten Man, Sins Of My Youth, U Get Me High
Unlike many of today's rock stars, Tom Petty has a gift for crafting songs that move you, wherever and whoever you are. He’s one of America’s great poets, so his songs don’t age, they mature like fine wine.
That’s what I've always aspired to do; write songs with that timeless quality. It’s a long road to get your writing chops to that level. You have to have some natural ability, sure, but mostly it’s just a whole lotta work, for a whole lotta years.
But the music industry fleas won't tell you that. Most labels and publishers don't believe in artist development. They believe in cash grab-velopment.
It's up to us (everyday people) to chip in and support the next Tom Petty, the next Bonnie Raitt, the next Bruce Springsteen, the next James Taylor, however and wherever we can. They aren't being developed by the music biz anymore. They're left to fend for themselves. They're busking downtown. They're working for peanuts in a coffee shop or bar near you. And corporate giants like Spotify and Viacom are skimming their hard-earned tips from the tip jar.
To all the hard-working, developing artists out there:
Don't ever give up on your dream. Dig your heels in and keep pushing, keep creating, keep moving. The mainstream ain't the only river that leads to the sea.
