A passion for music

This morning on CBC radio they were talking to an individual who is in her 80’s and was going to be attending tonight’s Lady Gaga concert in Edmonton. 

What blew me away by the interview was not the fact that this 80 year old lady was going to a Lady Gaga concert, it was the way in which the lady talked about Lady Gaga and her music. I can’t even think of the right words to use to do justice to the level of which this lady expressed her complete and totally respect and love for Lady Gage and her music. You could hear the enthusiasm and genuine love for Lady Gaga and her music in how she describe why she was a fan of Lady Gaga.  Her passion was so strong, it got me rethinking my own personal views one Lady Gaga and her music. 

Listening to this individual talk about her love of Lady Gaga reminded me of similar conversations I’ve had over the years with some of our "prior generations" about music. Music consumption is supposedly at an all-time high. People listen to music a lot more than they used to, simply because they can access it in many different ways easily where ever they are. Regardless of how high usage rates are what I’m noticing is disappearing is that true passion for music which I heard from the Lady Gaga fan today. That unwavering engagement that touches individuals on an entirely different level than today’s generation who tend to treat music as a disposable commodity and conveniences.

We need to recapture that feeling, revive what it means to experience music. Thanks to the individual on the radio this morning, I see why Lady Gaga reaches her audience on a different level than a lot of other artists today. Take away her extreme behaviour and antics and the musician, the showman, the entertainer is still there reaching audiences members on a level that many believe is lost on the disposable music generation. Prior generations excepted more from our entertainers, they held them to a strict level that many of today’s artists cannot even come close to attaining.

We need to reignite that passion for music, hold our artist to a standard that can't be reached by buying the latest piece of recording equipment. Take some time and talk to an 'older' generation about music. Ask them what they love about music, about the music they grew up with and the impact it had on their lives.  Their stories alone will probably have the potential to fire up your own engagement for music and maybe even influence your next music purchase.