August 13, 2007
My Favorite Music
Long before I was a professional photographer, I was a musician. Hard to believe from looking at me now, but I used to rock out with the best of them. All through school I played flute and saxophone. The fingerings are nearly identical, so it was easy to transition from one to the other. For most of those years, I either sat first or second chair. As a boy playing the flute in high school, that meant you were either very good or you put up with a lot of crap.
One of these days, I’ll dig up some of my old band photos and share them with you. You will be shocked and I’m sure you’ll be laughing. My last year in high school, 6 of my 7 classes were music related. Jazz band, symphony, music theory, stage band, pep band—those were the days when the arts were funded in the public school system. Once I graduated from high school, I expanded my skills by learning guitar and piano. It was all I dreamed of, being a professional musician. I played in a number of bands across Missouri and Kansas. I even played in Seattle with Duffy Bishop and the Rhythm Dogs.
So, how did I end up being a professional photographer? The drummer started dating this girl who nearly divided the band. Eventually that band broke up. After spending my entire life chasing a dream of being a musician, I realized that my success was entirely dependent on other musicians who may not be as serious as I was with my music. Photography was my day job, it was how I paid for my music addiction, so it was a natural progression to go back to school and learn how to do it professionally.
All of this simply to share with you a fun widget that I found today from Apple. I like to think I have a pretty eclectic taste in music. I love it all—from classical, rock, rap and pop to the blues. I will spend time hunting down an obscure song that I heard in a movie or a radio show. I have lots of stories for all the songs in my library. Much like photos, they are a touchstone to the memories of my life.
Many of my couples are musicians. The most recent was the wedding of Katy and Dan (which is coming soon to the blog) where they had musical toasts during the reception. A groom I photographed almost a decade ago in Seattle has become a very dear friend. Mark DuFresne — one of the most talented blues musicians I’ve ever known. I’ve worked with him on 2 of his albums providing photography and getting to hang out with some of the best blues musicians in the world. He’s played at the Portland Blues Festival and for a number of recent years, he was the front man for Roomful of Blues. Music is an integral thread in my life and I have a soft spot in my heart for musicians.
This widget simply displays some of the music I’ve purchased from the iTunes store and marked as favorites. If you stare at it long enough, you may raise an eyebrow the next time you see me. I’m always excited to find new music, so if you have a favorite band or song, share it with me. I’d love to hear it. Not that I’ll be able to find it on iTunes, but that’s another story. (the widget is interactive, by the way. Click on any artist to get more information) And now you know a little bit more about the man behind the music behind the camera.
Subscribe and eat it up!
This is an interesting story Randy, do you still play any instruments? Check this out, it may bring back some memories:
Flute Hero
Patrick,
Yes, I can still play the instruments I spent so much time with in the past. Of all the gear I used to have, I only have one guitar and it was the first guitar I owned as a kid. All the other instruments were sold to pay for my photography education.
I’m looking for a piano (will work for a trade) so I can teach my girls how to play. I’m also planning to pick up a nice acoustic guitar one of these days. The flute? My oldest daughter plays flute and I pick it up when she visits and everyone is always amazed that I can still play. It’s like riding a bike, eh?
The Flue Hero thing is in a foreign language. I can’t figure out what I’m supposed to do. Tried using the keyboard numbers, but it’s not doing anything on my Mac browser. Must be a PC thing!
Randy
Hey you!
I didn’t know this about you!!! Once again, your post is written so eloquently…I love reading your blog!
I miss you!
xoxo
Thanks Amber! There is a lot about me that people don’t know. I think that’s the great thing about being a storyteller. Everyone has their stories. When I think of my own life and the experiences I’ve had, it often makes me wonder what things others have seen and lived through.
Nice to see you here, hope you’re doing well!
Randy
Wow! I had no idea you were a musician! Piano is my true passion (can you believe it’s not accounting?) and I always dreamed of being a famous concert pianist when I was younger. It’s awesome that you like TobyMac and Dashboard Confessional! Great stuff (TobyMac is incredible in concert, his show is amazing!)
I’m excited to see Reagan and Trevor’s wedding photos! I’m sure all of the pictures turned out great.
See ya,
Jennie
Check out “Such Great Heights” by the Postal Service (it’s from the singer of Death Cab for Cutie)
TobyMac is amazing. A lot of people dismiss Inspirational music, but his music crosses a lot of boundaries. My youngest daughter, who is an amazing dancer, is doing a hip-hop routine to one of his songs and it’s nice to know that you won’t have to “bleep” out half the song because of language. I kept looking at his web site to see if he was coming close to Portland. Most of his concerts are back East. He did come by a month or so ago, but I was working!
I had no idea that Postal Service featured the singer from Death Cab for Cutie. I actually have that song from the Garden State Soundtrack. Not everything in my library shows up on that widget, just the stuff I’ve been able to purchase from iTunes. Three fourths of my library is from CD’s I’ve ripped into M4P files.
Great seeing you guys at Reagan and Trevor’s wedding. Those photos did turn out great and they will be coming to the blog soon. First there are a couple of others that are anxious to see their weddings. I’m working as fast and as hard as I can without compromising my artistic integrity!
Come back soon!
Randy