I have this new theory about musicians like Ellis Paul, Kevin Welch, Jimmie LaFave, Pete Morton, etc.
There are tons more. I just mention these folks because they are on my mind from seeing them concert recently or listening to their CDs.
These folks never make it super big like say a Garth Brooks or a Reba McIntyre. I would think having that much success and fame would be as much a burden as blessing. I’m sure the money and adulation are wonderful. But then you have everyone wanting a piece of you, wanting something from you. I personally would find it a huge pain to walk down the street and have folks continually coming up to me, snapping pictures etc. But then I value my privacy.
Musicians in the first category have a relative degree of success. They can make a living doing what they love to do. From having talked to a few of them, I know it is love for most of them. They get to enjoy the company of liked minded individuals. They get to travel as much or as little as they want in the support of their craft. At least the ones I have seen have mostly been in small often intimate venues with interaction between the musicians and the audience. Most of the musicians really seem to enjoy this. Of course, this is from the outside looking in, but they seem to be milking the most out of essential nature of life. Many that write their own lyrics seem have an amazing insight into the human condition, the human emotional state, a certain degree of wisdom beyond the norm.
My theory is this: They are old souls. This is probably their last go round in the physical plane. They are on a farewell tours of sorts. I really cannot think of many better ways to do such a tour.
Heck of a theory for an old agnostic.