To be one’s true self is the goal in life. This blog series would not exist if it weren’t for a reunion with an old friend who had all the makings of a modern-day Mozart. But at a pivotal fork in the road, he chose the path behind a desk, instead of one behind a keyboard, which would’ve honored his gift - like Mozart did. Now, 20 years later, he’s unrecognizable, this friend who once had music radiating from every cell, especially when singing in random bursts of happiness. The years have taken their toll - not just in the added 20 pounds that don’t belong, but in the heaviness that comes when living someone else’s life, and not one’s true purpose. The life you came here to live.
As a writer, this inspired me to highlight the special souls who chose to follow their true path. The tougher path, but one that honors and expresses the powerful gift of music they’ve been given. To live the Mozart life. May some of their words help or inspire you to find your true calling in life.
In our era of overpopulation, overwhelming noise and information from strangers beyond traditional media outlets, hearing songs from America on SiriusXM “Bridge” or “Love” channels, like “Ventura,” “Horse With No Name” and “Tin Man,” can bring one’s mind back to the breezy 1970s era of soft rock and that kinder, simpler, and less populated time we once lived in that will never be back again.
It recently made me think, “What happened to America since they dominated radio airwaves back in that decade?” Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley are still going strong touring regularly, with stops the next two days in Orange County and Nov. 13 in Beverly Hills. They are in the midwest later and in New York in December. Dewey reflects on a divine moment of serendipity for what would become America, being self-taught on the guitar, choosing a life of music which has been the last 46 years, what he listens to to relax, and using his band for worthy causes like wildlife rescue and environmental issues.
Music is so powerful. “Ventura,” “Horse With No Name,” and “Tin Man” takes us right back to that moment. Some of the best songs were written in minutes. Original music is often channeled from our Higher Selves, flowing through those who have this gift of music. What’s your take on that? Do you feel that those are the moments you’re most connected to your true self?
Yes, I do agree that an intense moment of reflection, yearning, or revelation is a primary factor in that moment of creating a song. The melody and lyric can seem to flow in unison and the song weaves itself together. As for our Higher Selves, it is an intense mercurial feeling at the time and the focus is sharp.
What song or songs are you most proud of, that came in such an easy way, ethereally, almost? Were these three written pretty quickly, for example?
It’s true that the three songs you mention were written relatively quickly, and I’m certainly proud of their success over the years. But I’m very satisfied with many songs that formed quickly and equally proud of many. Some that come to mind would include “Sandman”, “Old Man Took”, “Pages”, “Wheels Are Turning”, “Sleeper Train”, “Garden of Peace”, Oloololo”, “Molten Love”, “Young Moon”, “Walk In The Woods” and more. Certainly “Horse With No Name” and “Ventura Highway” each evolved very quickly in a single writing session. As I recall, “Tin Man” was completed in a couple of sessions. But many other songs over the years took short amounts of time to complete. After that, the arranging and recording of songs is a more involved time consuming process.
There are divine moments of serendipity, where a catalyst opens the door that leads to the path we’re meant to be on, the one where we live out the fullest expression of our true selves. What was that moment for you and how did it happen?
The original trio of Gerry Beckley, Dan Peek and myself had been close friends in high school and we went our separate ways briefly after graduation to pursue different things. Sometime during that year out in the world we came back together and realized we had each been writing original songs based on our individual perspectives on life. Within days (moments?) of listening to each others songs we seemed to concentrate our focus on them and our mutual direction became clear - a divine moment of serendipity? Perhaps?
What inspired this blog series was seeing an old friend who has a special gift of music, but didn’t choose that path, who, 20 years later, isn’t living the life he thought he would live. People who make music and get to travel the world doing so are a rare example of a life where one is able to honor and channel their gift of music. What are your thoughts? And do you feel you’re consciously living the life you thought you would be living when you started out years ago?
I can honestly say that I never planned or expected to be living this life in music for this long. It has been a true gift and I try not to take it for granted. The fact is we could not travel the world playing our music for the past 46 years if it were not for the fans who listen to the music and come to the shows.
I’ve said in the blog post about living the Mozart life, that it may be a tougher road to choose, but you’re fully living your true selves. Do you resonate to that? You did not choose the 9 to 5 path. Was that difficult? Because you didn’t know you would get here.
We were young when our first album was so successful and simply knew no other life after that. When we were kids, our lives including travel with our families in the Air Force, so we were used to being transient. The gypsy life of a musician was an easy transition.
How did you know this is your life path, your true calling? How does one know when they’re living their true purpose?
I wish I knew. People say “timing is everything” and I believe there is truth to that. The right place at the right time and the right music at the right time, maybe? The Universe decided for me I guess!
When did you know you had this gift of music and how did you start to do the human discipline it takes to channel it, hone it, and bring it forth?
It began by simply listening to music and appreciating different artists and genres. I appreciate melodies and am basically self-taught on guitar, so a simple player really. But I think of myself as more of a poet/lyricist when it come to channeling and honing. I do not consider myself particularly disciplined.
Do you have a daily musical routine?
No daily routine. I am truly undisciplined, as I said. I am most motivated when we have a project or deadline.
Life does give us catalysts, a release valve, which often is our lowest point in life, that allows us to push up to the next, hopefully better chapter. Like a desert, wilderness period in life, that helps raise our consciousness and stay true to yourself and your own path? What was that low point for you that helped you push yourself further, evolve and do better, and what did you do when you had that epiphany?
I have always enjoyed life in all it’s chapters. I try to experience and accept all aspects of life and not get too hung up on things that cause distress, if I can. I’ve always been drawn to the natural world for relief from the chaos that the human world can create. I love wildlife and the complexities of nature, and of course my family gives me great comfort. I can’t point to a particular low point but will always try to live life on life’s terms.
It’s been a tough year for music, losing its own. What are your thoughts on time, how it seems to go by faster each year. Perhaps it’s made you reflect on what you want to achieve in the time we’re given here? Do you think about time much and what you want to achieve in the time we have?
I am definitely feeling the passing of time and the fact that we all have a finite amount of it to live. We’ve heard it before - we only have one life to live, so I think we should live it to the fullest. There’s always an adventure around the corner.
Unlike any time in history, we’re in a overwhelming digital era. There is so much detritus, noise and schadenfreude. What’s your view on that, and how do you find quiet in this era? How do you ground yourself, focus on your own life path and purpose?
In a sentence: You’ve encouraged me to go fishing!
I’m a firm believer in doing mitzvahs, especially in the tougher times of our lives. To give back, be of service in some way, to use our time most wisely, can only help us in the end. What are your thoughts and do you try to do your own mitzvahs to help others, even in the smallest way?
To be of service is important to me. The band has always contributed to fund-raising events for worthy causes including especially environmental issues. My wife and I are involved with wildlife rescue and rehab as well as domestic animal services. Giving back has it’s own rewards, of course.
What advice do you have for people who have the gift of music, but don’t know how to start channeling it, to develop that gift and bring it out?
If there is one thing I’d change about my music career, it would be to have had a formal education in music. Having the passion is one thing, but getting a firm foundation and then putting in the time will best way to develop your talent.
What do you do to help pick yourself up when you’re feeling down, and help you stay the course? Is there a song you play that inspires you when you’re needing some inspiration or to pick yourself up?
I am inspired by the music of Brian Wilson for one thing. The melodies and lyrics are timeless. I also listen to cool jazz to relax.