At 31, on being a professional musician

and that's why WE keep coming back for MORE.See you at VasaGrass and Red Rocks and Higher Ground and NYE ? ? ?

I was able to witness these recent to shows that you speak of Johnny. But let me digress, I am an avid fan of music. Maybe a bit more then the ordinary person. But to me, music has always been a big factor in my life. When you are at work, it helps the day go by and sometimes even settles you down so you can focus. When taking long drives it gives you that extra encouragement to keep you going and reach your destination. When your happy it makes you smile even more. When you are dating and in love, there were songs that always expressed what you are feeling at the moment in time. When you are contemplative it makes you think that much more and even when you are sad or suffered a loss, music seems to put words and song out there that reflect the mood of your misfortune. See for many of us creative challenged folks, who are not singers, songwriters or musicians, there was always some type of music or song or lyric that helped us put things in perspective and literally showcased what we were feeling at any given time. The connection to the song becomes a connection to the artist and then we beome fans. Many of us say, "that particular music spoke to me, they know how I am feeling right now. I can't express it but they know what I am going throught right now. I am going to listen to this artist more often." See I didn't really get it when I was growing up. Hell, I put on a record, CD, tape of something I wanted to listen to and that was that. It was not till my teenage years where I saw how powerful music can be. My mind opened up and the music was now been truly heard. The notes, the lyrics, the emotion it connotates, it was all there if you just gave it a chance. Since I opened up my mind to that space, one could seriously shut their eyes and you were taking onto this musical journey through each song that one listened to. You felt enveloped in this song. You were wrapped up on a mission to see it through and listen to the last notes. My mindset for music changed dramatically. It grew into an understanding that there are similar folks out there that do get it, they can hear what I am hearing. They can see what I am seeing. And if you saw it live, it was that much sweeter, that much more powerful. There is a thing that happens at a show between the audience and the band. A connectivity that can either be nurtured or loss throughout the evening of said show. When the connection is right and things are flowing back and forth, that is the special place that everyone in the room strives to be at. When the connection is not found, the live music seems to be flat with no where to go. I have sat, stood, witnessed, listened and have partaking in what I will call the spiritual realm between fan and band time and time again. When the musicians are on their game and they step up and really play, the fans take notice and feel that through the notes, the song, the way the musician interacts with the audience. They feel the music that moves their soul. This great playing on stage turns on that switch, the spiritual connection begins and the flow of energy is felt throughout that venue. With like minded music individuals in the same venue, the audience also now has that chance to join in on the fun. They feel it, the are moved by it. So they sing along, dance, hoot and holler and just create a whirlwind of energy feeding that spiritual realm. As long as the band keeps playing on that special plane, the vibe in that venue will always be there for them. I have witnessed it time and time again. I have participated in this exchange of positiveness to that spiritual connnection from audience to stage. So coming back from these past two nights of Railroad being in upstate New York and Toronto, I just have to say that the spiritual realm was hit. I was in those audiences feeling the positive energy from the crowd. Because the music that was being played off of that stage was so good, the audience gave all their appreciation. They were truly taken on a train ride. All those folks that were there wanted to be there. They wanted to witness first hand what the buzz was about. They all walked away praying that Railroad would come back again real soon so they can hit that spiritual plane once more. It is like a drug in a way as you get addicted to that special feeling that Railroad Earth creates when a show is played well and the audience is on. The mixture creates this feeling of euphoria when RRE hits that spiritual plane and hangs there for a couple of hours. That was the buzz all over the place up there. When an audience explodes at the end of each set and before the encore like that, you as musicians have played well. You reached that point where they can see the music when they close their eyes. You took them on a musical journey. So keep that in mind Johnny and to all of Railroad Earth. Although being on the road and being away from your families may be a burden to you sometimes, there are so many lives you have just made happier as you touched their souls from performances like these. 2009 has showcased some incredible strides on where Railroad Earth can truly take an audience as you all have touched the spiritual plane time and time again. These fans, new and old, have witnessed that and want to participate more and more to help you all escalate to those next levels of enlightenment. You and RRE have enriched many lives with your performances and music. I see this every where I go. Thank-you. El Ron