I can count on one hand the amount of concerts I’ve been to in my life: there was Blink 182, KISS, Naughty By Nature, Dashboard Confessionals, Dierks Bentley…OK, maybe two hands. But the point is: I’m not a regular concert goer (BTW, if you can find any continuity in that band list, please let me know. Talk about random).
Last Friday, I added another one to my list, Brad Paisley. He played at the Giant Center in Hershey, and a friend asked if I’d want to go. We, including our wives, made it a Valentine’s Day treat. Other than being told by a handful of people that I look like him (See here), I didn’t know too much about him. BUT, I do believe in Surrounding Yourself with the Best. Brad Paisley is an example of “the Best.”
As a daily practice, I am scanning my environment for inspiration in whatever form it may come. Last Friday, it was in the form of a country singer I didn’t know much about. As I sat there in total awe of what he was doing, I had to ask myself, “What am I so drawn to him?”.
So, I did some thinking, and here are some bullet points:
- His passion – In order to be world-class, you have to love what you’re doing. Brad Paisley loves being on stage and singing/producing country music. Passion is transparent.
- His journey – Brad Paisley was not always Brad Paisley. At one time, he was just a normal guy with a dream. I guess I love hard work, and I know how much hard work it had to take to get where he is. I appreciate that in anyone, no matter their arena.
- His normalcy – Brad Paisley is, by all means, normal in appearance. Opposite a model, we don’t revere him because of his appearance, we revere him because of what the man, Brad Paisley, represents. To me, with my limited BP knowledge, he represents: hard work, excellence, power/ability to impact others and values.
- His connection – Brad Paisley is able to stand on a stage in front of 15k people and connect with every single one of them. He inspires. My job, as a performer is to connect and inspire. I revere that ability.
- His humility – 2 examples jump out at me: 1. He mentioned several times how grateful he is that we spent our money and time to consume his talent, and 2. He made a point to highlight his opening acts several times throughout the concert, removing the focus from him.
Greatness is admirable. Search it out and surround yourself with it.
Something worth noting…at one point, Taylor Swift was Brad Paisley’s opener. During the concert, BP signed a guitar and handed it to a little girl in the front row. He said, “Now that’s how a little Taylor Swift is born.” If you have that gift to inspire others, use it.
Spaniard
About the author : cbrenneman
Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
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It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
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