I have been a huge rock and roll fan since the age of 5. Like many people of my generation, The Beatles changed my life and, once it changed, there was no turning back. I am still a Beatles fan, as well as a fan of all types of rock and roll music, both classic and current. My musical vocabulary is vast; many things, places, and people remind me of a song or a line in a song. From Jimmy Buffett’s “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere,” to The Beatles’ “Rain,” to B.B. King’s “The Thrill is Gone,” I view the world and the people in it in terms of rock and roll analogies. The people who have worked with me over my long career know that, someday, sometime, they will say or do something to which I remark, “that reminds me of a song.” With some regularity, I will even sing a few lines of the song, or worse than that, hum a guitar or bass riff. Music, particularly rock and roll, is something I am passionate about and it doesn’t take long for those around me to know this. Fortunately for me, I spend much of my free time around other like minded rock and roll fans; I was thrilled to have as my major professor (the person who directed my Ph.D. studies) a person who is as big a rock and roll fan as me. We still enjoy discussing bands, guitar solos, and the impact of rock and roll on society, psychology, and life in general. For the people who just “don’t get it,” there is not much for us to discuss!
Music, in all forms, can contribute to the quality of life. In fact, there is new research on the benefits of music for memory and mental health. But in our world, it is a hobby that expands the mind and provides much enjoyment. I will confess to learning from music, not just about the music, but about life. The lyrics and concepts contained, especially in rock and roll, have broadened my horizons. And, there seem to be songs about everything. I’ve chuckled thinking about the lyrics from Rush’s song, Show don’t Tell, in the context of our trial consulting work, “…Give the jury direction, Based on the evidence…” In the workplace there are sometimes communication breakdowns (just like Led Zepplin said). And, our 21+ years in business together has sometimes been a long strange trip. We work hard for our money – which reminds me of Working Man, though I’m not a Blue Collar Man. You get the idea. Though life is not a Rock n’ Roll Fantasy for everyone, music brings a deeper dimension to working and living (in 3/4 time). The overall point is finding ways to liven up work makes it more fun for all. And, if you work with people who share a passion, to whatever degree, the commonality of interest enhances it further.
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