The Soundtrack to My Life

Music Treasures

In the last ten years, I have devoted my time, energy, and money to a hobby that will soon become a career. Last month I drove forty miles to purchase a new CD on its release date, which I hadn’t done in a long time. I started to remember all of the experiences I have had being a devoted “fan” and all of the sacrifices I’ve made along the way.  

 

One of my favorite things to do before and after a concert is to make friends with the security guards. My fast friendships have enabled me to get to the front row to shake hands with the musician and meet the band. It’s also an easy way to get guitar picks and set lists. Some of my fondest memories are of hanging around the backstage door. Even if the band did not come out, I have managed to meet some amazing people, with whom I still keep in contact with today.

 

Along with all of my precious memories of concerts, I have some scary ones too. After a long show one night, my friend and I got lost in downtown Camden, New Jersey. We couldn’t find the correct bridge to take us back into Philadelphia and my car was in the middle of breaking down. Every street was dark and eerie; the police car that we found was so beaten up that we were afraid to even roll the window down to ask the cop for directions. Luckily, we found the bridge and made it to our hotel safely!

 

When my favorite band releases a new CD, I always end up driving to Williamsport or State College to purchase it. These drives have become a time capsule in my life; I can distinctly remember what was going on at the time of the CD release and the emotions that were flowing through me upon first listen. While the advent of downloading and iTunes is convenient, it takes away from the adventure of the open road; listening to new stories and guitar riffs as the trees and houses blend together with the music. Downloading music also takes away the anticipation of flipping through the CD insert while lying on the floor beside the speaker, following along with the printed lyrics and visualizing the stories coming to life before me, while the small pictures create the background of the rock and roll myth. I have often wished vinyl records were still popular because of their larger pictures, but for now I will have to cherish going to record stores that carry them used, so that I can sit on the floor and flip through hundreds of them; the smell of must enrapturing me while visions of rock and roll gods stare back at me on their cardboard fantasy.

 

I look forward to the next ten years of adventures and creating memories of concerts, writing, and listening to music. For every long line I’ve stood in, every day of absence from work and school, and every expensive concert ticket has always paid off in the long run. I keep my memories in a scrapbook and special “treasure” box so that I can continue to look back upon my life, with each image of a ticket, photo, or keepsake bringing back a story to share with friends. My summer is already filled up with concert dates, and I will be sharing my journeys in my blogs as I experience the magic of live music and exciting people on the open road.