I SHOULD MIND MY OWN BUSINESS

Noman told me that the band was becoming a lot more work than he had anticipated. Hudson rarely made it to rehearsal, which came as no surprise, and even the other guys were getting restless as the "play-in-a-band" novelty wore off.

Noman asked if I would come to rehearsal and then give them some advice.

I was filled with mixed feelings. These young guys were getting together for the joy of communication through noise making. Now they were starting to think about what they could do, not to make it more fun, but to make it more "career oriented." Making it career oriented is truly the end of the fun and the beginning of the work. I know all too well. I don't want to see that innocence lost.

I agreed, but with sadness. Like parents sending their child off into the world. The child will never come home. It will be a new person that they will have to get to know all over again.

Inside I thought, "Noman, I wish I could just keep you the irritating kid down the road."

I went to Noman Island's rehearsal. Roman went with me as he had become curious too. Roman loved it, or at least he said he did. I'm certain it was not the music he loved, just the energy and the joy of seeing his buddy Noman up there making a fool of himself. Watching Roman's smile reinforced every good thing I have ever thought about him.

Afterwards, I stood up. Their eyes all turned to me hoping to hear words of praise and encouragement. I felt it would be cruel to tell them they were good because they weren't, professionally speaking. Making music is so personal that to step out in the word and have anyone else hear it is kind of embarrassing. I did know what NOT to say to them. Don't tell them to "have fun" and don't tell them to "make it your own." The best advice would be to give up. Anyone who would take my advice doesn't deserve to be in the music business.

"Okay guys, Hudson is a problem," I said with a serious tone. "You need to have a group that is equally committed. Not only is he not coming to rehearsals, but you can't trust him. Trust is more important for having a successful group than how well a person can play his instrument. Also coming to rehearsals is important." My brain mumbled inside that it was too bad he was the talented one.

As Roman and I left, I felt that I had made them all depressed. I knew it would go this way. I should have told them to have fun and make it their own. I didn't sleep very well that night.