That’s me in about 1970, about age 4, becoming an audiophile in real time. When my Mom unearthed this photo a couple of years ago, it amazed me. Photos of me as a boy in an oversized football uniform or even me with my violin didn’t resonate with 59-year-old me nearly as much as this one. I see in this photo the little me actually starting to become big me - a look of wonder and delight, made by a phonograph. God only knows what was on that playschool turntable (but is that a hoedown cartoon on the lid!?). Yet it sounded good to me in that moment, and that’s what matters.
I didn’t know music would matter to me so much, as an amateur musician (to this day), a super-fan, and ultimately a professional chronicler and researcher. But I can think of no other human pursuit that I find more nourishing, pleasurable, wide-ranging, and global in scope.
I remember that as I began to contemplate a life path and professional future, one thing frightened me - the life of a specialist, going deeper and deeper into one thing as the decades went by. I was always fascinated and motivated by science, but I couldn’t imagine going literally micro and becoming a hyper-expert on some protein or some galaxy. I’m a macro man. I related to the generalists and explainers - to Carl Sagan taking me on a tour of the Cosmos - to Leonard Bernstein showing me what a symphony was about, not how to audition for one. I realized journalism was a path to ever wider curiosity and communication, and that’s what got me here. Yes, I have a speciality, as any writer should, but even that - American roots music - is a wild and broad adventure that lives in a web of history and place and social evolution. I’m so very lucky to contemplate such themes on a daily basis.
As the idea for Musicality For Modern Humans took shape, I realized I was contemplating a generalist’s guide to a field that the broad audience sees as specific and specialized. Jazz and classical especially are positioned and perceived as provinces of elite knowledge. But I haven’t been to a conservatory. I can’t spell out the Circle of Fifths or tell you what a tritone substitution is. But goddamn, I feel “Giant Steps” and “The Rite of Spring” in my gut, my heart, my brain, and my soul. I pray that this book - which is formally out today - helps readers find a path to those rewards built on a modicum of knowledge, a heap of admiration for artistic intent, and a realization that amid the huge outpouring of serious music, today and over a century, there are works and composers and improvisors who will take them to places in their spirit they’d never imagined.
On Sunday, Oct. 12 at 4:30 pm CT, I’ll be going live on my YouTube channel to introduce the book by way of its massive 95-song companion playlist. You can find it by searching “Musicality For Humans” in Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal - or there are direct links on the main home page of my website. I won’t be playing the songs of course, but I will be talking through my musical selections and how they define the arc and key sections of the book. SET AN ALERT OR WATCH HERE.
This is the big one. It’s part of our city’s great annual literary event, and I’m one of a number of authors with music books. Due to construction at its traditional venue of War Memorial Plaza, the festival is taking place this year on the Bicentennial Mall. Find my session at the Tennessee State Museum at 3 pm. And be sure to investigate the sessions by my fellow music writers and friends Tamara Saviano, Geoff Himes, Don Cusic, Eddie Huffman, and Barry Mazor!
Technically it’s early Tuesday morning, Oct. 14, but let’s not wait that long okay?
To remind, this is me selling books and other merch at a premium price directly to my top supporters and believers to raise a fund that will be entirely spent on the marketing of the book over the next few months. It will pay for online ads, PR, postage, and travel for promotional appearances. I have some great partners and we swear to be good stewards of your donations. We are close to our goal, but why not exceed it? Please look at your options and see my video pitch asap if you have not done so. To those who have contributed, thank you ever so much! This is a movement and I’m thrilled you are trusting me to make some good happen in music appreciation.
Finally, I am planning a reading and presentation in tandem with my friend guitarist Ben Garnett in the works at Grimey’s in Nashville at the end of October. But we’re still locking that down. Ben is the perfect companion for this - an acoustic guitar player and composer who lives on a bridge between bluegrass and modern instrumental chamber music. He’s releasing his new album Kite’s Keep today as well! And you can find that at Bandcamp.
If you have book or music stores in your area that you think would be a good match for a Musicality event, please let me know at chavighurst@gmail.com.
With High Hopes And Gratitude, Craig H.
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