The response to yesterday’s article was amazing, and the feedback mirrored my own thoughts and feelings. There are those who overcome so much to play their music…and by comparison, very little stands in our way.
If yesterday’s amazing demonstration didn’t jar you into action on your instrument, perhaps this one will. PTM reader Dan Kieffer turned me onto the story of Patrick Henry Hughes, a talented and inspiring young man who has just become my hero. He and his family exemplify the values of music, love, family tragedy and triumph, and everything else that we all talk about at length, but so seldom demonstrate with any conviction. The video tells it best.
To Patrick and his family: thank you for all you do. Without even trying or intending to do so, you are an inspiration. Play on!
I recently had the opportunity to interview Nick Drozdoff, Chicagoland trumpet player and Maynard Ferguson Orchestra alum, and get his thoughts on music, day gigs, juggling time commitments, and other topics important to the Part-Time Musician (PTM). For anyone who hasn’t yet had the pleasure of knowing him, Nick still plays professionally…but also manages to hold down a day gig teaching advanced-placement Physics at a Chicago-area high school. And did I mention that he has a family?
What was intended to be just a quick question and answer session turned into a great conversation. Nick offered some inside stories of the music industry and a lot of detailed information to back up his thoughts on each topic we discussed. In doing so, he managed to provide a good deal of great advice for music students, PTMs, full-timers…well, just about anyone with a love of music and a desire to play it well!
To listen to the interview, just click the play button on the audio control below. The discussion runs just under an hour, so feel free to bookmark or email this page and listen in shifts, clicking in the title track area to reposition the player….if you can pull yourself away. The more you listen, the more you’ll want to hear!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
If you’d like more information about Nick, his music, and his soon-to-be-released practice guide, please visit NickDrozdoff.com.
A tip of the hat to John Kool, good friend and fellow trumpeter, for pointing me to a great article about a Part-Time Musician (PTM) that should encourage us all. The next time a policeman pulls you over, you may find yourself wondering if he’s working that day job to support his playing addiction as well!
Click here to read the article…and if you’d like to comment, please do! In the meantime, keep playing!
If yesterday’s amazing demonstration didn’t jar you into action on your instrument, perhaps this one will. PTM reader Dan Kieffer turned me onto the story of Patrick Henry Hughes, a talented and inspiring young man who has just become my hero. He and his family exemplify the values of music, love, family tragedy and triumph, and everything else that we all talk about at length, but so seldom demonstrate with any conviction. The video tells it best.
Band, Brass, Inspiration, Piano, Videos | Mark September 11, 2009 | 
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