Legacies
2006 is swiftly coming to a close. On a personal level, despite the machinations of a mischievous toddler, this year was a lot more stable than the last 3 or 4. We didn’t move, change jobs or have children, so things were on a more even keel. But you can’t help but reflect at the year past. I’m a huge fans of those “year in review” bits online and on TV. It’s strange to see all the folks who passed away this year, and there are always a couple that really kind of pain me. Weird, isn’t it? I never met these people, but I’m truly bummed that they’re not here making this world a better place.
Ed Bradley’s death, for one, saddened me. From all reports, he was a stand up kinda guy. I know watching him on 60 minutes, he always seemed totally connected to his subject. After seeing his 60 Minute’s tribute to him, and how he connected to music and musicians, I was even more touched. A man of passion and compassion. A man that inspired many and never seemed to have complained about the obstacles he most assuredly faced in an industry that judges and promotes books by their covers. This sounds like a petty detail, but the fact that a news man wore an earring on camera always impressed me. Here is a man who’s not afraid to be himself. Too few like him in the world.
If you were like me, you watched Hee Haw Sunday nights with your family growing up. Can you imagine such a corn poned show on TV today? I’m not sure what fascinated us so much, perhaps it was less fascination and even fewer TV channels to choose from. Until I dated a alt-country aficionado, my only experience with Buck Owens was his appearances on HeeHaw. But he and his Bakersfield, California contemporaries put their mark on their own brand of country. Don’t think Faith Hill or Shania Twain, whom can hardly be considered country, think countrified rockabilly. While country of the late 60s and early 70s was highly orchestrated, he bucked the trend and maintained a more stripped-down sound reminiscent of older country styles. If you’ve ever taken a side-trip into alt-country like Uncle Tupelo or Whiskeytown you’ll recognize some of their roots.
These two men fortunately had long lives in which to build a legacy, and it makes me think what sort of legacy I might be leaving behind. I’m starting to realize that sitting on the sidelines doesn’t do anything for anybody. While I’ll never reach the stature of these men, I can make my own small difference in the world.
Ed Bradley’s death, for one, saddened me. From all reports, he was a stand up kinda guy. I know watching him on 60 minutes, he always seemed totally connected to his subject. After seeing his 60 Minute’s tribute to him, and how he connected to music and musicians, I was even more touched. A man of passion and compassion. A man that inspired many and never seemed to have complained about the obstacles he most assuredly faced in an industry that judges and promotes books by their covers. This sounds like a petty detail, but the fact that a news man wore an earring on camera always impressed me. Here is a man who’s not afraid to be himself. Too few like him in the world.
If you were like me, you watched Hee Haw Sunday nights with your family growing up. Can you imagine such a corn poned show on TV today? I’m not sure what fascinated us so much, perhaps it was less fascination and even fewer TV channels to choose from. Until I dated a alt-country aficionado, my only experience with Buck Owens was his appearances on HeeHaw. But he and his Bakersfield, California contemporaries put their mark on their own brand of country. Don’t think Faith Hill or Shania Twain, whom can hardly be considered country, think countrified rockabilly. While country of the late 60s and early 70s was highly orchestrated, he bucked the trend and maintained a more stripped-down sound reminiscent of older country styles. If you’ve ever taken a side-trip into alt-country like Uncle Tupelo or Whiskeytown you’ll recognize some of their roots.
These two men fortunately had long lives in which to build a legacy, and it makes me think what sort of legacy I might be leaving behind. I’m starting to realize that sitting on the sidelines doesn’t do anything for anybody. While I’ll never reach the stature of these men, I can make my own small difference in the world.
I like your idea of your own personal year in review too! Not all my posts are autobiographical, but you'd still see what sort of caught my attention! (Comment this)