Originally posted on Facebook HERE
I hope you have something in your life that you’re really good at, and you love doing. I can’t imagine not having that. Even better if it’s something you can do to make a living on as well. I’ve really been blessed in that regard, being able to make a living playing music for years, then switching to sales as my main source of income for a while, going back to music, and since 2006 as a financial advisor. Over the years I had a few odd jobs I didn’t like at all that I just did for the money. I can’t imagine having to do that long term. To work a job you hate just for the money. We all have to do what we have to do at times to make ends meet, but to just stick with something for the money because you don’t see any other way?… it affects everything. I did car sales twice in my life — both times I lasted about two months before I couldn’t take it anymore. I didn’t like it at all. I remember getting up on Mondays… which I think were 12 hour days (9AM-9PM), and just dreading going in. Life is just too short to spend that much time doing something you don’t like. I’m really really grateful that I started playing bass when I was 14 years old, and was able to start performing with bands to make a living when I was 17 (drinking age was 18 at the time, but nobody questioned the age of the band members). There were clubs that booked bands 6 nights a week at that time, so I started playing all over the Midwest. I love playing music to this day. But — it also had a dark side for me. Drugs and alcohol were rampant in that scene back then. I just assumed everyone I met did coke. And as much as I loved playing, I almost killed myself several times with drugs and alcohol. I did a lot of things I’m not proud of at all while I was using. Which brings me to this — why are we so quick to judge others? Why does it seem like we love to see someone fail? Why do scandals get the biggest headlines? Nobody is perfect. Now, people who get caught doing shady things, well — you brought it on yourself, right? It’s on my mind right now because one of my favorite guitar players Giacomo Turra is currently involved in a scandal. He is getting lambasted in social media because it’s become clear he’s been stealing other people’s material without giving them any credit. There are three YouTube videos that I’ll post here regarding this — THIS is the first video calling him out with several examples of note for note copying other artists — then his “apology” video, and then a 2nd video from the first guy with even more evidence against him. Giacomo had a meteoric rise through his Instagram posts since COVID. Sponsorhip deals, worldwide tours, hundreds of thousands of followers. Basically he has lost it all now. And he brought it on himself, right? But now, there’s a lot of piling on against him that just seems like he’s an easy target, so let’s dump on him. The whole situation makes me uneasy. And I guess here’s my thoughts on it in a nutshell — #1 Have some integrity. In everything you do. Be honest. If Giacomo had just credited everyone (the problem here is that much of it was note for note copying, not just used for inspiration), he wouldn’t have this problem — and he would have helped the careers of the people who originated the ideas as well. #2 We are all human, we all make mistakes. Call people out when needed, maybe walk away from them, or unfollow them, but — depending on the issue, of course — be careful about getting caught up in the spiral of hatred. #3 Giacomo issued an apology. Almost all the comments on that video are negative. It might not be the best “apology” video ever. But now people are posting videos from his NAMM show (I was there, it was terrible — we walked out) as evidence he can’t play at all. And there’s more and more videos coming out just grilling him. What if it was you? What would you do? Is there a way for him to turn this around? Does time really heal all wounds, or has this one really terrible series of events done irreparable damage to his career? I don’t know the answer. He brought it on himself. I’m prone to forgiveness. The people he stole from might not be. #4 Is there a silver lining? The people who’s work he copied are getting all kinds of attention now as a result of this. Rightfully so. I’m finding all kinds of new artists by checking out the list of people he ripped off. Great players. So… what’s the point today? Find something you love to do. Spend time doing it. If you’re lucky enough to turn it into a business — be honest and ethical. Maybe don’t be so quick to judgement, or so prone to piling on when someone is down, and try to find a way to forgive when warranted. I agree, there are times when it isn’t warranted. We learn from our mistakes and move on. Sometimes the worst mistakes we make pave the way for our greatest successes.
