I can only hope you are all doing well, sheltered in place, have enough of all you need and are healthy. That, I feel is all we can expect in these days of the Covid-19 pandemic. I remind myself, in my meditations each day, that in this very moment all of my needs are being met or else I wouldn’t be alive. Finding reasons for gratitude moment by moment is what we can hold onto. That, and hope. I know people who have experienced the effects of Covid-19 and they all report never feeling “this bad” ever before.
I received my first Covid related cancellation email March 11 for a performance in Albuquerque. Somewhat ironically I was to perform and tell Native American stories at the 38th Annual National Poetry Therapy Association along with people like author Jimmy Santiago Baca. It was scheduled April 2, and I was schedule to be in Tucson to teach and perform at a flute festival in Tucson. That was cancelled soon after. In April I was to perform at the dedication of White Sands National “Park” status change. Yes, as you can see, one by one my scheduled and contracted performances were cancelled. Too many to list here all the way through June so far with hardly anything scheduled until November. My calendar wiped clean. Some were “postponed” whatever that may entail.
I’m not alone of course. Musicians, dancers, opera singers, theater, film workers—a major industry here in New Mexico—and all the industries that support the arts all lost their jobs and income. I’m not prone to panic, but will admit lying in bed at 3am through morning breathing and trying to not let the thoughts of terror take over. My dreams, already lucid and vivid, have been filled with physical distancing and ancient rituals I know are related. Anxiety dreams for certain. I have some income through royalties and sales and streaming services like Spotify and Pandora. Please create my station on both of those sites and remember to click thumbs up on my songs when convenient.
This week I was booked to play at a local retirement village. I strolled lugging my battery operated amp and mic around along with my guitar and some flutes. I sang and played, serenaded really, the residents who sat on their balconies and patios. Eleven stations in all as it a huge campus. People were appreciate and sang along to songs like "You are my Sunshine," "Keep on the Sunny Side, ""I’ll Fly Away" etc. The first station where I played I noticed something I hadn’t heard since a House Concert I did in February in February, applause. It was almost jarring to hear people applauding for my music. I was grateful and also reminded, oh yes, that’s right, this is how people show their appreciation for what we do. When I’ve done streaming gigs I don’t hear that applause. I see it, but not hear it. The world has grown quieter with so fewer noisy vehicles on the roads. The low roar I hear when I open the door or step under the skylight, is a gentle hum. No longer do I hear the kids at the grade school just blocks away and the busses, or live music when I drive by the nearby bar. Our world is quieter and the birds seem to be singing much louder too.
And in accordance with my spiritual practice and beliefs, I am recording live videos for two churches in Albuquerque and San Antonio. They will stream them during their Zoom services next Sunday. You can join them live. I will record sermons for two services later in the month as well. Our Hospice has asked me to come and play at windows at the independent living and in-patient facilities. No one can go inside presently so I will bring my little amp and play and sing for those gathered at safe distances listening through open windows. This warms my heart because I have sincerely missed my weekly Hospice volunteer time playing for patients and staff. I didn’t realize how much service and giving is a part of my life. I do now.
If you have been going through your entire music library, binging everything you can on netflix, hulu, plutotv (my favorite) amazon, sling, youtube etc., then it is clear to you the value of the Arts. Each film had a writer, director, producers, actors, grips, photographers, catering, drivers, costume designers, casting, extras, on and on and on and on. And of course it had a composer, musicians, a score. I mean imagine the movies Halloween or Star Wars without the music. Art, in all its forms, enriches and expands us. It helps us grieve, celebrate, relate, feel emotions and explain our human story.
I feel compelled to write some songs during this time of isolation. I am working to finish an album. In many ways, life as a musician isn’t much different than this imposed isolation we are all experienced. I have to be extremely self-motivated and structured every day. There is absolutely no certainty or guarantees in my life as a musician that I will have income or work. I still constantly have to promote my music daily online to try and get a little notice and remind people of my music. I still practice every day regardless. I make up my bed every day, have a set of goals, shower and shave each day. I do this as a matter of discipline and have continued to do it during The Great Isolation as I call it. I generate and post content every day to keep people coming to my Instagram and Facebook pages. I work on my websites, calendars, correspondences etc. What “is” different the underlying anxiety and terror level. Normally mine is about 30% each day as a musician. Lately it is higher and I catch myself distracted. I am never bored so that’s not a problem. I limit my social media and news media time significantly. It isn’t healthy.
I put together a photomontage of what I had seen regarding the Corona pandemic and set it to “No More Hard Times” from my Strong Medicine album. I felt, especially as a musician, a need to document and that is a very moving song Stephen Foster wrote. I am planning a live stream concert when I figure out which platform is best.
In the meantime, listeners have donated money to me in different ways, which not only surprised me but also affirmed my faith in people’s goodness and generosity. I appreciate everything whether it is sales, donations, shares, gigs, reaching out, it is all giving and receiving, a continuous cycle. If you are so moved to hire me for consolation or lesson feel free to contact me. If you are so moved to donate or contribute to me personally via PayPal or Venmo @Randy-Granger1 or support me on Patreon, I appreciate that too. It is humbling to have your expected income suddenly vanish and I look forward to working. You can buy and download my entire discography at my Bandcamp page or Apple Music or my website.
Thank you and I would love to hear from you and how you are coping.
Peace,
Randy