The Ez Entertainment Book
"Making It"
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
by
David Hamilton
Being a Responsible Artist
Bruce Springsteen is definitely one of the pioneering artists to use his
power of respect from music fans abroad to use his entertainment pull to help
teach and guide even the eldest of his fans. Being a responsible artist is doing
just this, taking time out of your professional career to stand up for
something that you believe will help others around you. Bruce Springsteen
recently wrote "Chords of Change" that was published in the NY Times as well as
papers and magazines around the world. His reasoning for taking the time to
write this below was that there is a need for change, and everyone that is able
to read and be aware should have the chance to read and make choices as well.
This is one example of an artist using his or her ability to be responsible.
August 5, 2004
Chords for Change
By BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
A nation's artists and musicians have a particular place in its social and
political life. Over the years I've tried to think long and hard about what it
means to be American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the
world, and how that position is best carried. I've tried to write songs that
speak to our pride and criticize our failures.
These questions are at the heart of this election: who we are, what we stand
for, why we fight. Personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one
step away from partisan politics. Instead, I have been partisan about a set of
ideals: economic justice, civil rights, a humane foreign policy, freedom and a
decent life for all of our citizens. This year, however, for many of us the
stakes have risen too high to sit this election out.
Through my work, I've always tried to ask hard questions. Why is it that the
wealthiest nation in the world finds it so hard to keep its promise and faith
with its weakest citizens? Why do we continue to find it so difficult to see
beyond the veil of race? How do we conduct ourselves during difficult times
without killing the things we hold dear? Why does the fulfillment of our promise
as a people always seem to be just within grasp yet forever out of reach?
I don't think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe
they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their
way toward honest solutions. They understand that we need an administration that
places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all
America's citizens, courage and faith.
People have different notions of these values, and they live them out in
different ways. I've tried to sing about some of them in my songs. But I have my
own ideas about what they mean, too. That is why I plan to join with many fellow
artists, including the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks,
Jurassic 5, James Taylor and Jackson Browne, in touring the country this
October. We will be performing under the umbrella of a new group called Vote for
Change. Our goal is to change the direction of the government and change the
current administration come November.
Like many others, in the aftermath of 9/11, I felt the country's unity. I don't
remember anything quite like it. I supported the decision to enter Afghanistan
and I hoped that the seriousness of the times would bring forth strength,
humility and wisdom in our leaders. Instead, we dived headlong into an
unnecessary war in Iraq, offering up the lives of our young men and women under
circumstances that are now discredited. We ran record deficits, while
simultaneously cutting and squeezing services like afterschool programs. We
granted tax cuts to the richest 1 percent (corporate bigwigs, well-to-do guitar
players), increasing the division of wealth that threatens to destroy our social
contract with one another and render mute the promise of "one nation
indivisible."
It is through the truthful exercising of the best of human qualities - respect
for others, honesty about ourselves, faith in our ideals - that we come to life
in God's eyes. It is how our soul, as a nation and as individuals, is revealed.
Our American government has strayed too far from American values. It is time to
move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.
Bruce Springsteen is a writer and performer.
As you can see, being an artist is much more than a limo, a stage, and some
money. There is much responsibility that comes with the career you are embarking
upon, regardless of which path in entertainment you choose. Prepare early to be smart, wise, and responsible no matter what it is
you want to do in the entertainment business.
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David Hamilton
contact information
www.ezstreetrecords.com/address.htm