"At the end of every hard earned day, people find a Reason to Believe"

Pondering Hope, Men, and Music:
Not long ago, a friend of mine said, "What the world needs are songs of Hope". I couldn't agree more. The average songs on the radio are either mindless bubblegum or dreary commiseration: "Life sucks - we're the victims - you and me, let's drown our sorrows - have a party"- far from the Hope people are looking for.


We all know that men carry the stereotype of bottling up feelings and emotions - but last night grown men were dancing in the isles, singing at the top of their lungs, and pounding fists in the air to the beat of a drum. What causes this reaction in such "closed off" individuals? Obviously, it has to be that people relate to the themes of the music, but also maybe it's that he's singing to them, and yet almost for them - when they may have no voice of their own. As the producer asked Johnny Cash, "If you had just one song to sing to God before you die, what would it be?"


My co-concert goer asked "Can God be so good as to really bless someone like Bruce with that much talent and ability to reach people, or if you have to make a deal with the Devil?". I told him God is good and puts people all over, wherever they're needed.


This all made me think of my own music and aspirations. If I'm where God's placed me, what am I doing with the bit'o'talent that he's bestowed? I've always struggled with why I keep coming up with songs and what I'm to do with them. Most are spiritual in nature, so do I sing to the converted, edifying the body of believers? Or do I take these songs of Hope into secular areas that may need it the most? Lately, I've thought the latter may be the answer for me - one beggar telling another where to find bread, etc...


But for sure, people long for something and someone to get behind. That desire, when met with the appropriate message (and in this case - anthems in song), can break down many a hearts high wall. My hope is that my life and music might be a part of that process.


The Concert:

I have had the good fortune to see some great artists in my life: Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, CSNY, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Phish, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers; but few come close to what I witnessed on Monday night in Columbus.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band easily put on the best show I have EVER seen (topping even the midnight to sunrise New Years Eve Phish concert - yes they played for 8 hours).

Bruce and the gang continually raised the bar over and over until the encore that put the energy in the auditorium at absolutely ridiculous levels. There was never more than a 15 second break in between songs - most of the 2 1/2 hour set went from an crashing crescendo with Bruce screaming 1-2-3-4 right into the next song: not bad for a guy pushing 60. As my co-concert goer put it, "His energy has decreased over the years, as his Intensity has increased". He really believes what he's singing and gets behind every song as the energy drags you in and makes you get behind it as well.

After the first 5 minutes I knew it was worth twice what I paid. Highlights included a sick blues rendition of "Reason To Believe" from the Nebraska album. This led into an anthemic "Because The Night" - which sadly is better know from the 10,000 Maniacs version, but I assure you - Bruce who wrote it, performs it 10,000 times better.

I got to hear my current favorite song "She's the One" from the Born to Run Album - which was ridiculous, as were "Badlands, Sherry Darling, and The Promised Land". The encore included "Born To Run", "Rosalita", and a brawl of a "Glory Days".

If you are unfamiliar with Bruce or the above mentioned songs, please get on iTunes and give him a listen - something will jump out at you, I promise.

Thanks for Reading, Frank