Although Mr. Tanner did not make his living singing, he basically lived to sing. In his small town apparently he was considered great, compared to the other local talent ( A case of a big fish in a small pond). After he was goaded into having professionals in the big city critique his performance, he was brought back down to earth in a rather cruel way. He thus felt that if the public thought he was not professional enough, he would no longer sing for them. He would sing for himself when he was alone, for the pure joy of singing.
I live in Hollywood and have a few friends that are professional musicians. Some are famous, others are session, or studio musicians, or back up musicians (some famous, some not). I was a musician myself but realized early on that I did not have the passion, fire, drive, and belief in myself to make it. Fortunately I realized what was lacking and saved myself from a career of either being told "no" or getting really bad and/or low or no pay gigs and the heartbreak that goes with it.
I used to see the "big fishes" come into town looking to grab the world by the tail. Some make it. Some get famous, some just eke out a living playing dives, doing sound tracks, playing small parties and get togethers and so on and others wind up with real jobs and are musicians at night or on the weekends. Some give up on music completely, some get jobs in the music industry (just inches from fame) and many go back home (or elsewhere if they are too embarrassed to go home) beaten, or broken, or jaded, or with their tails between their legs. Some go home and never speak of the experience.
This song covers many of the emotions musicians, singers, actors (or any kind of artist or performer) faces everyday. They are braver souls than I. I could not put myself before the public and be faced with their judgment of me (even though I am a harsh self critic) plus I know no one wants to pay to see or hear anything I have to say.
I truly miss Harry Chapin and wonder what he would have written and if he would have gained a large following. I often wonder why his brothers and band members did not keep performing. I am sure many people would have gone to the shows (even though no one could replace Harry).
Although Mr. Tanner did not make his living singing, he basically lived to sing. In his small town apparently he was considered great, compared to the other local talent ( A case of a big fish in a small pond). After he was goaded into having professionals in the big city critique his performance, he was brought back down to earth in a rather cruel way. He thus felt that if the public thought he was not professional enough, he would no longer sing for them. He would sing for himself when he was alone, for the pure joy of singing.
I live in Hollywood and have a few friends that are professional musicians. Some are famous, others are session, or studio musicians, or back up musicians (some famous, some not). I was a musician myself but realized early on that I did not have the passion, fire, drive, and belief in myself to make it. Fortunately I realized what was lacking and saved myself from a career of either being told "no" or getting really bad and/or low or no pay gigs and the heartbreak that goes with it.
I used to see the "big fishes" come into town looking to grab the world by the tail. Some make it. Some get famous, some just eke out a living playing dives, doing sound tracks, playing small parties and get togethers and so on and others wind up with real jobs and are musicians at night or on the weekends. Some give up on music completely, some get jobs in the music industry (just inches from fame) and many go back home (or elsewhere if they are too embarrassed to go home) beaten, or broken, or jaded, or with their tails between their legs. Some go home and never speak of the experience.
This song covers many of the emotions musicians, singers, actors (or any kind of artist or performer) faces everyday. They are braver souls than I. I could not put myself before the public and be faced with their judgment of me (even though I am a harsh self critic) plus I know no one wants to pay to see or hear anything I have to say.
I truly miss Harry Chapin and wonder what he would have written and if he would have gained a large following. I often wonder why his brothers and band members did not keep performing. I am sure many people would have gone to the shows (even though no one could replace Harry).