It's all Rock n' Roll...
The music which plays in the background of my life serves as a soundtrack for all that I do. Whether I'm working at my job, barbecuing, writing, chilling, drinking, or traveling, music plays a large part. Music is an art form with no cultural biases, no boundaries, and the stories behind the songs and artists are as fascinating as rainbows seen during rainstorms.
The story/legend/myth of blues guitarist Robert Johnson is a beacon for a storyteller like myself. In order to become the world's best guitar player, Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the devil at the Crossroads down in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Being a writer, music lover, and traveller, I made the journey last year.
Leaving Memphis on US-61, I waved at people in other cars, loving how people down South wave back, extending a sense of comfort and belonging. About an hour and a half later, I parked next to Abe's Barbecue, and stood outside, my gaze fixed on the three guitars which supposedly mark the spot where Johnson and Old Scratch made their deal. I remember wondering to myself if I would ever be thirsty enough or hungry enough to make the same kind of deal, inserting writer instead of guitar player. Oh well, Scratch didn't show up. No worries.
A couple of weeks ago, I took my kids on a road trip to Cleveland, the heart of Rock n' Roll, and home of the R and R Hall of Fame. I told the background of different artists, reminding my daughters of the different songs, like 'Green Onions' by Booker T. and the MGs. Each of them has eclectic tastes in music, inspired by their Daddy, or at least that's what I tell myself. Like me, they love not only the music, but the musicians as well.
Yes, there are other Rock n' Roll venues I plan on visiting in the future, because I love the history. Also, there's a pretty cool thing about being a professional writer which not too many people are aware of; every trip is a tax write-off. See, I'm winning in more ways than one. Bags packed, ready for the next musically inspired journey...
