Appeared in “PERSPECTIVE: John Lennon Bus, Episode 1x02 ‘George Clinton’”
Created and published by John Lennon Educational Tour Bus on YouTube
In this documentary short, George Clinton of Funkadelic shares a little perspective on what it takes to follow your own path. In his case it was performing music.
For me, SXSW 2016 was a turning point in my life and music career. It set me on the path to my true calling, not as a performing artist, but as a storyteller. At that time, I had no inkling of this being my true calling. I felt that I had no choice but to perform and fit in as a songwriter, but no matter how hard I tried, I did not feel like I belonged with the other musicians or bands. Not the one's who were touring.
I was an outcast of the outcasts. What then? I realized my dream was not about fitting in. It was about changing hearts and changing minds. It was about sharing my unique point-of-view. It was about perspective.
At the time, I wasn’t aware of how off track I would soon find myself afterwards... on and off track for 10 years... but really... on track... because getting off track is the most important part of getting on track, I'd say.
Music is still central to my journey, but in a very different way from how I once imagined.
Today I give myself permission to create work that truly matters. Music that moves. Stories that move. Perspective that connects. Not music you see live, but music that takes you on a journey. Music that you can live to, or better yet – tell your own story to.