Inspiration Is a Two-Way Street

by Jason on July 9, 2010 · 4 comments

in Consulting, Thoughts

Who are you going to inspire today?

Who are you going to inspire today?

As I mentioned here I’ve recently started to share what I’ve learned about getting my music out to a wider audience with my good friend Katy Bourne. Truth be told, I’ve been sharing things in a piecemeal fashion with my friends, colleagues and anyone who asked for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved talking about what we do, how we do it, and what works and what doesn’t. But what I’m doing with Katy is more methodical and thought-out than that. I’m helping her find some strategies that’ll help her get her fabulous new CD into the hands and ears of those who need to hear it.

What I have found in the few short sessions that we’ve done so far is that I’m getting at least as much inspiration and motivation from talking with Katy as she is from me. I’ve always loved sharing what I know because formulating my ideas and getting them out so that someone else can understand and benefit from them makes me really think things through. This process is crucial, especially in the fast-paced, ever-changing world in which we live. Ideas and strategies get outdated so fast and replaced by new ones, and constant re-evaluation keeps me one step ahead. I hope!

The process of sharing inspiration is a beautiful thing. It’s cool that two people can come together and make each other better at what they do by merely talking things through. That’s a powerful thing. But even more powerful is the effect that can have on the larger world. You see, when we get inspired we glow. We radiate an energy that is palpable to those around us. Even if they never know why we are glowing and radiating, they can feel it. And often that’s all one needs to get inspired ourselves. Then I pass it to you, you pass it to someone else, and little by little, one person at a time, we send that inspiration out into the world.

This is how change happens. One person at a time. One thought at a time. How exciting is that???

I’m going to pour my inspiration into everything I do today. Hopefully those I come into contact with will feel it and pass it on.

What’s inspiring you today?


P.S. – Katy played me a few tunes from her forthcoming CD, due out in September on Pony Boy Records. It sounds amazing!! Katy’s band is made up of some of Seattle’s finest jazz players, including, Randy Halberstadt, Doug Miller, Chris Spencer and Steve Korn. They are swingin’ hard on the CD and Katy has never sounded better! I hope to convince Katy to share some of this great music with you soon…for now you can hear some of her former recordings here.

mrG July 9, 2010 at 11:37 am

I think it is because we share in Music, we do not ‘create’ music, we tune in something a priori and we share in the wrap-ture of it. All you need do is look into the sparkle in the eye of any musician, of any age, when someone allows them to talk about their own self-discovered ways to share that rapture. I think that tells us something urgent about what we profess to do.

Katy Bourne July 9, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Hey JP-

Great post & SO TRUE! There is something deliciously infectious about inspiration. So symbiotic! I have so very much enjoyed our work together so far; you’ve definitely charged me up, busted me open and filled me with possibility and enthusiasm. I’m so lucky!

I thought I should mention that tracks 1 & 2 on the page that you link to are indeed tracks from my upcoming CD. Enjoy.

Thanks for the shout and for all the wood you’re throwing on the fire!

Cheers,

Katy

Camden Hughes | Learn Jazz Standards July 10, 2010 at 1:31 am

I’m inspired to be a musician today! It’s a great thing that someone like Katy who deserves to be heard can be heard today with the possibilities of the internet!

Sounds great Katy!

Camden Hughes

Jason July 11, 2010 at 11:16 am

MrG – Beautifully put!

Katy – Thanks for sharing the new tunes.

Camden – Yay for inspired musicians! Thanks for checking out the blog and all your comments.

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