In a recent exchange with a member of the Chapter X community, he wrote:
“I was a good-fielding shortstop as a kid, but I couldn’t hit the curveball which ended my ‘career.’”
It’s the curveballs in life that buckle the knees and freeze the spine—until they don’t. Some put their head down and keep going. Others hang their heads and walk back to the proverbial dugout, shaking their heads.
It reminds me of the decision to end my aspiration of making music my career, which happened completely by accident. I was nineteen and had been studying trumpet for nearly 11 years, the last seven very seriously.
A fellow musician came over to share music, as was our habit, and he put on a record featuring Jon Faddis. He is a famed trumpet player and protégé of Dizzy Gillespie. As I listened to Jon play, I was BLOWN away by his range, sound and abilities. Then came the curveball…he and I were the same age. It was at that moment that my knees buckled and my spine froze.
I knew I was wasting my time.
Looking back, it was probably the right decision. After all, I watched both my parents and uncle (all working professional musicians) bemoan the music business. I suppose I could have used the moment to work even harder and push through the resistance, but I didn’t. I went on to become a CPA and left music in my wake.
What curveballs did you face and how did you respond?
