I want to thank everyone here for giving support to how I do music. It has been a very lonely road with the way I do music. Lots of offers if I conform to the norm, which I have said no to each time, and 35 years of doing every aspect of the business from my own label, booking agent, band leader, travel agent, press agent, roadie, day laborer, driver.... I sit in my own universe which is wonderful. I have no competition. That is the great news, but have never fit in the established scene. Places like this forum, I sit on the fringe of things because no one else is doing it. This kind of sums up my days in the established music scene and this has been as good as it gets. I am thankful for that but as the years have gone by, I am no longer driven to book gigs and try to get through to the music/press/media businesses. I was told over and over that as long as I did spontobeat I would sit in this place. I never aknowledged this because I viewed that as defeat. Now I do aknowledge it as a fact for today, but who knows what tomorrow brings? I continue to hold dreams and hope that in my lifetime the scene and spontobeat will line up without me having to do the legwork to make it happen again.
I also dream someday of a new musical movement- Spontobeat- where all types of music styles spontaneously create their words and music as they play. Not just for a song or two once in awhile, but as a lifestyle. It really is the easiest thing to do. You just let go of yourself and let the universe channel through. It is a wonderful experience that for me at least, makes doing the rehearsed thought out approach to music that is the mainstay of music on this planet, of no interest because there is a constant long line of songs wanting to come out. I can never keep up with them. I sing them in my head, out loud as I walk, ride my bike, drive. As I sleep I dream them.
Here is a song that I did yesterday that really sums up the experience. If you close your eyes and drift you can join in the journey I was on with it.
It is a song about an old musician who played the farm circut back in the 20-30's. This guy walked in as I started strumming and took over the song. He shared his life. I rode trains, ate campfire food, smelled the smells of the farms, sweat, frieght train clacking of the rails on the tracks, feet on dusty rural roads, the taste of sweet peaches falling off the trees, children laughing and dancing, old suits, women with long dresses cooking over an open fire,............ Like going into the Grapes Of Wrath. These are the kind of images I experience as I play music.
I will die doing this and no kind of money or fame could lure me away from it. Having your support means a lot. It is important to share your dreams with the universe. that is how they come true! Thanks everyone for the support. It means alot. Walter
---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
Pretty cool Walter. I admire your mission. Sitting on the fringe and your own universe. Pretty heady stuff :-) Reminds of a quote from the comedian Steven Wright: "I live in my own little world, but it's ok, everyone knows me here."
I aspire and look forward to the moment where I will be able to channel *something/anything* and be it spontaneous would be a bonus. Hell, I'm still working on i-iv-v and blues scales...nothing channeled or spontaneous there. Help me Obi-wan Kenobi! ---------- Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy. -Dan Castellaneta
Last Edited by on Apr 19, 2011 8:12 AM
Someday I hope to be as comfortable in my own musical "skin" as you are. I hope you know that your story and struggles and willingness to share it is as inspirational as your great music. I look forward to hearing you in person one day.
ReedSqueal: We all start the journey at step 1. Time spent on the harp will get you further down it. Keep the faith!
KingoBad: thanks fo those kind words! I do feel my music and my life are one. That has always confused me with most pro musicians I know. They have one persona onstage and another off. I am the same guy anywhere I go. I also hope we get to meet in the flesh someday.
LIP RIPPER: I dug that song. I never heard of Bill. Did he make it all up as he went along too? I am going to have to see if I can find some info on him.
Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
It is amazing how little music was documented until recently. I wish I had youtube technology back when I was playing with the blues greats. Now if you blow your nose it will end up documented!
thanks harpocrates. Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
