They are an Incredible Story

The Many choices available on any given day in the Austin Live Music Calendar can present challenges of whom to see!

On any given day, live music can be seen and heard across the greater Austin, Texas scene. It always presents a dilemma to me because I not only enjoy photographing them, I enjoy listening to them. These musicians need to do better in coordinating their schedules for me. A conversation I have with them from time to time. Despite the conflict, I am rarely disappointed in the final decision made. Some decisions, I enjoy more. Last Saturday, June 29, 2024 was one of those days. In the span of five and a half hours, I saw and heard three sets of amazing musicians.

I have been photographing and writing about musicians in the greater Austin area for almost four years. They have given me a focus and a mission of service at an age most think about retiring. They have done this by doing nothing more than pursuing their goals. I want their stories to be known. I have written from my perspective in the books I have published. Now, I am letting them tell their story in their words. To do so, I have launched a magazine.

When seeking advice we always think about those who have been or are currently at the “top”, as we define it. Some grasp every word and follow but when they “fall”, we see that they are human after all and discard them and their prior advice in search of a new “flavor of the month.”

Words of Wisdom are plentiful if we just look. Everyone has something that can have a positive impact on our life. Discernment is necessary but if we broaden our look, we will not be without. While we can accomplish much by ourselves, we will never accomplish anything lasting without the wise council and assistance of others. I believe this to the core of my soul. I also believe, a belief understood late in life, that the greatest accomplishments are those achieved during the service of others. I have come to understand this via my adventure of photography.

Challenges await. Obstacle, both internally and externally, try to prevent me from achieving. Some days, these obstacles are successful. Today, they are not. The second edition of my magazine, SEVEN, is in the final editing stages. Next week, it will be sent to the publisher. What I have accomplished these few years was never on my horizon of thought in the past. They have only become a reality because of these incredible people we call musicians.