The weather has changed, clouds have lifted, and the warm sun is shining through. Summer is one of my favorite times of year. Folks take vacation and trips, families go on adventures and lovers of music file into venues & festivals to enjoy music with their friends. This summer, I traveled to southern Oregon for a music showcase for Klamath Music, part of a really cool music festival in Klamath Falls, Oregon. This town has been one of my highlights in my travels. Not only are the audiences a listening audience, but they love live music.
During one of my sets this summer I had a gentleman call out, “Play Marlboro Town!” Not the typical original request I get, but super cool. Marlboro Town I don’t play live often, but it is one of my favorite songs that I have written. Coming from a time of leaving my home of 35 years, feeling alone and trying to find my voice. This song was written in a time of self reflection and almost a kind of therapy. I love that someone knew the song and enjoyed it enough to call it out of the crowd.
On my way back from Southern Oregon, I had finished up a book that I had been reading/listening to. Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released his memoir and I had been chipping away at it. This was hands down the best book I had ever read. I truly believe if there was no Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, there would be no Rudolf Korv music career. Mike Campbell in this book documents the ups and downs of life, being in a band, and the music business. He has an incredible story.
My father had me at 60 years old, and I remember raising myself at most times. As a teen I remember ordering cassette tapes with those little stamps from Columbia House in the mail. My family didn’t really listen to music so having access to order a load of albums was a dream come true. If anyone remembers, you could order 11 cassette tapes for $1.00 and you had to buy 8 more cassettes at full price within 3 years. What a deal.
This was the beginning of me listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers amongst others including 90’s grunge bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. The Heartbreakers made me feel something. Tom and Mike’s songs raised me, taught me, inspired me, encouraged me to learn how to play guitar myself and to write songs about what I feel and what I have been through. I am so very grateful for them.
In August 2014 I got a chance to see them live. What an amazing moment. When Tom passed a few years later it was devastating. I didn't understand when I watched people cry over famous people. I had always thought it was so strange. But when Tom passed away I understood. This person and their art had touched my life and I would never be the same because of it.
This is my prayer, that my art will touch someone else and affect their life in a positive way. There is not enough time for me to explain all the incredible stories mapped out in this memoir. You will have to read it for yourself, and you should.
Final thought:
Find something you love and give it everything you got. Have fun, work hard, & love hard. Life is so short.