Jim Mathis

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Weighty Issues

When I was a young person, my folks would often go to friend's homes to play music and jam. When big name artist were in the area, we would go to their concerts. Before long, it became obvious, even to me, that there wasn't much difference in the ability of the people who played in their living rooms or local clubs and the people on stage at the big shows.

I have spent a lifetime trying to figure out what seperates the guys and gals at the local clubs from those that pack the big arenas. The obvious thing is showmanship. Putting on a good show is a hard concept to grasp and takes a long time to learn.

But recently I've notived another huge factor. (Pun intended.) The big difference between the guys and gals that knock around the local clubs and coffeehouses and those that play at the Sprint Center is not talent, but about 75 pounds.

When music promoters talk about someone being a "complete package," what they mean is that they can play and sing as well as the next person, they have a good personalty, and they are not overweight.

My friend, Sunny, and I were talking about this this morning, and the only exceptions we could think of were people who got fat after they were famous - B.B. King, Solomon Burke, Aretha Frankin.

Just something to think about before you have that extra cheeseburger on the way to the gig.

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