|
NEWSLETTERS
September
2002
©2002 Terri Hendrix
Happy Labor Day!
Labor Day was first celebrated by the Central Labor Union in New York
City on September 5th, 1882. By 1884 the first Monday in September had
been designated as a "workingmen's holiday" to honor those contributing
to the strength of our nation, as well as to its social and economic well-being.
The idea caught on, and in 1894, with over half of the states having adopted
festivities, Congress passed an act making the tribute a legal holiday.
In honor of Labor Day, I thought I'd revisit bits and pieces of past newsletters
and pay tribute to the influential women in my life who've enlightened
my path in the workplace and have contributed to my strength and well-being.
* * *
"One day you finally knew what you had to do . . . and began."-Mary
Olson
During my twelve years in the music business, I've enjoyed my share of
happy trails, but I've also endured equally tumultuous terrain on this
journey. Looking back, I know that had it not been for the influential
women my life, I never would've begun - much less survived - and still
be doing what I had to do.
As a performer and songwriter - and most importantly as a person - I began
with little if any belief in my abilities. Thankfully, my friends had
a more encouraging point of view - and I learned to see myself through
their eyes. They taught me that armed with self-worth, individuality,
integrity, passion, and dignity, I could enjoy the journey despite life's
unpredictable twists and turns.
These friends continue to serve as my compass. They enable me not just
to find my footing when it's dark, but to fearlessly embrace the light
as well.
After her home recently flooded, my friend Cathy Frederickson discovered
a lone vine growing out of the concrete in a bathroom stall. "See
that?" she said. "There's always a way to grow even in the worst
circumstances." I remember this optimistic outlook when flights are
canceled; when the confirmation numbers for the band's hotel rooms are
encrypted codes rendered useless the day of intended occupation; when
the sound and/or monitor folks at a gig seem like they're from Neptune
and the promoter is their backwoods moonshine low rent relative; when
my name's spelled "Teppi Hendpix" on the marquis because the
R's have been stolen; when the lack of R's renders me with short-term
memory loss as I struggle to remember my lyrics during that evening's
performance; when I break a string or two on my instrument in mid-song;
and when my allergies create backwash in the reeds of my harmonica.
One time, I played a festival where a rooster was solo but struttin' around
the audience. These chicks in the front row egged the rooster on, and
soon enough, my performance was a big yoke. I still gave it my all, though,
because my guitar teacher, Marion Williamson, taught me that those who
come to see a show deserve no less. Not only that, but in the worst possible
performance situation, the one person I'd like to impress most will likely
be in the audience. On another occasion, during lunch, a fellow songwriter
sauntered up to our table and told me, "One day, you'll get bigger.
You just need exposure and to do more songs that people like." Marion
immediately responded, "And one day you'll make more money, put weight
on your skinny bones, get a lil' sun, and hire your own band so you can
play the type of show you so adamantly advise."
It takes courage to stand up for yourself and insist upon being treated
with respect. After years of enduring shabby treatment at the hands of
their employers, Tammi Hendrix and Kirstie Campbell (both devout loyalists)
quit their jobs and opened their own company. Having never been perceived
as real assets to their corporation, they flew the coup - and below company
radar - and a year later, they bought out their former employers. They
keep debt low and office morale high, and they treat others as they wish
to be treated. They are a constant reminder for me to never accept being
overestimated or underestimated.
Another important influence, Jana Green, has provided me with much wisdom:
the virtues of the file cabinet; "he who gossips to you will gossip
of you"; what's locked remains a secret; you're only as smart as
your input. Be fireproof, balanced, and organized. Have a back-up. Be
where you're expected to be. Keep your drawers on. Correspondence is stored
to keep the forgetful honest and the liars scared.
Writing and playing music are what's most important to me. It's something
I need to do. The business of music, meanwhile, is something I do because
I have to pay the mortgage and because it allows me to create with as
few obstacles as possible. There are real musicians who have day jobs
and real musicians who don't, and real musicians don't have a bumper sticker
claiming which category they belong to.
I don't believe in handbooks, secret handshakes, schmoozing, and playing
head games to reach higher rungs on life's ladder. I believe in sweat
equity. In time, hard work pays off. Sometimes the greatest rewards, seldom
seen by others, are found within the folds of the respect we garner for
ourselves in the process.
My "divas" encourage me to celebrate what's unique within myself
as I continue to seek my own voice within my art. Their collective school
of thought is that in the end, it won't matter what level of success I've
attained but how I conducted myself in my quest for it. I knew what I
had to do, and I began. I'm still beginning. Every day. But not without
my heroes every step of the way.
* * *
Speaking of heroes, three thousand and fifty six innocent people lost
their lives on September 11. Uncounted thousands more lost a sister, brother,
daughter, son, wife, husband, parent, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, grandparent,
cousin, friend, neighbor, employee or employer. Perhaps that's where the
attackers made their mistake. One violent hate crime discriminated against
us all, and for the first time, we stood united. By standing united we
had strength. As we continue to mourn and rebuild together, maybe we'll
be like that lone vine crawling out of the concrete and find a way to
"grow even in the worst circumstances."
Warm regards, Terri Hendrix
(c) THM Music 2002
*******************************
Remember, if you change service providers we lose you. To unsubscribe:
email terri@terrihendrix.com
Feel free to forward my newsletters if you choose to do so.
back
|