Dream Killers

Recently, a hockey team won a game against a weaker team with a score of 18 -1. Was it really necessary for the winning team to trounce them so badly? Why did the winners have to step on the other team's spirit so hard?

It was like they used someone weaker to build themselves up. In the end, it seems destructive to both.

It is the same with any dream. The littlest thing that is said or done can crush another’s dream – even without intent to do so. The objective in this life is to live the dream and not destroy it.

New Year's Resolutions

Why do we make New Year’s Resolutions? We make resolutions to state our intent of what we are going to do in the coming year and build a blueprint on how to get there. Most resolutions are lofty or huge goals that have a lot of detail or redundant activities to achieve the bigger goal. When you look at the whole picture, it seems overwhelming when you are stuck in the detail of the tasks to get there.

My new year’s resolution is to publish two new songs per month. I hope that I do not get stuck in boring details required to achieve this goal, because each of the tasks to publish new music is time consuming and sometimes overwhelming. Ultimately, it’s about hanging onto your dreams and not letting the bullshit details get to you.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Why do certain musical acts from generations ago continue to keep selling today? The Dreamer’s Brigade thinks it’s because those artists and groups that survive created multiple styles of music. These acts experimented musically and still endure today.

When asked why Led Zeppelin is still on the top of the list, Robert Plant said, “it’s the variety that keeps Led Zep alive.” Variety is seen in the Led Zeppelin catalog of music. In examples like Whole Lotta Love, Stairway to Heaven, Battle of Evermore, and Going to California, you can see four distinct styles of music.

The Beatles are still the top selling act in the music industry. They too had a myriad of songs that crossed musical genres. A Hard Day’s Night, Yesterday and Strawberry Fields are all examples of the Beatle’s top selling songs that showcase their variety.

Variety is what attracts and retains a fan following. The Dreamer’s Brigade is evolving into a variety act. The Dreamer’s Brigade stepped into adult contemporary progressive folk rock with Born in America. New music, soon to come from The Dreamer’s Brigade, will change things up – still progressive folk rock, yet very different creative endeavors.

Persistence

Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Obviously, Edison foundered more times than he succeeded. However, if he had not persisted, we may still be in the dark. Edison had persistence! He was one of the risk takers that changed our lives. Even though he had a whole host of inventors that worked for him, he put his name on the patents, took the risks and therefore, got the greatest rewards. Those who take the greatest risks tend to have the most gratification in life. 

When the lights go out, some athletes leave the gym. Other athletes stay and practice in the dark. It is this persistence that separates them into “good enough” and superstars. Recently, a section championship was played in Minnesota between two high school boys basketball teams, both hoping to win the game and head to the state tournament. The two teams have been hailed nationally for their persistence and preparation, facing four overtimes with numerous buzzer beater plays. See for yourself:

Both teams were invited by the Minnesota Timberwolves to be honored at an NBA game shortly after the incredible section tournament finish because they both persevered, in the face of adversity, and never gave up on their dream.

The Dreamer’s Brigade believes in persistence as the only way to make dreams come true! Could you find 10,000 ways that don’t work and still keep at it?  From three-fourth’s court, try a three-pointer…your persistence might be the difference between good and great, where dreams become a reality.

The Trump Card

These days, we are inundated with political commentary from all places – on the news, on social media, and even around the dinner table. There’s lots of chatter about Donald Trump and why he’s being successful. What makes Donald Trump so appealing to so many people? He has skillfully created himself as a brand and applied it to the political process. On some level, he has taken what he knows about the basic instincts of human nature and takes advantage of it to capture voters.

This branding focuses in two areas – our desire to win, and our fears. He recognizes that people believe in the concept of winners and losers, knowing that everyone rallies around the winners and silently cheer when the perceived adversary loses. He repeatedly talks about how he is going to make us a country of winners again.

He capitalizes on our fears – we will build a wall along our Mexican border to prevent people from entering our country illegally and take our jobs. He makes implausible statements, like “we will not allow Muslims into this country”, to a nation that was founded on religious freedom. This strikes at our fear of terrorism. And, he constantly threatens our ability to earning a living by telling us that China is stealing our economy.

He doesn’t give political specifics as to how he is going to accomplish the bold things he says he will do, but says so with such conviction that people believe him. Mexico is going to pay for the wall. Really? 

Can he win the nomination for president? Only time will tell, but so far, he’s winning all the Republican caucuses and primaries. Obviously, his brand strategy is paying off and he’s holding all the high trump cards.

Top 10 All Time Favorite Actresses

With the Academy Awards right around the corner, the Dreamer’s Brigade presents its list of favorite females in a leading or supporting role...

10. Helen Mirren

9. Jodie Foster

8. Cate Blanchett

7. Sandra Bullock

6. Halle Berry

5. Jennifer Lawrence

4. Charlize Theron

3. Ava Gardner

2. Katherine Hepburn

1. Meryl Streep

Helen Mirren starts our list because she handles roles as mature women with depth and can make quiet moments impactful. We loved Jodie Foster from the time she was little, and remember her well as Clarice in Hannibal. She also writes and directs great movies making her talents multi-faceted. Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Elizabeth I of England first got our attention and she continues to have critically acclaimed performances regularly.

Sandra Bullock is an actress that makes our list because of her ability to play so many diverse roles and keep them fresh and fun. As the first woman of color to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, Halle Berry proves herself both a serious and comedic actor. The Hunger Games series and her other movies, put Jennifer Lawrence solidly on our list of favorites. Charlize Theron tackles heavy, twisted movies with ease and isn’t afraid to portray shattered, complex characters.

Our top three favorites are classic actresses and are chosen as favorites by many. Ava Gardner was an iconic female lead in movies from 1950s – 1970s. She is listed 25^th among the American Film Institute’s 25 Greatest Female Stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema. Katherine Hepburn is known for her fierce independence and spirited personality.  he was a Hollywood leading lady for over 60 years. Our all-time favorite actress is Meryl Streep  She’s a perennial favorite of film awards, has won three academy awards and is considered the best actress of her generation.

Which actresses make your top 10 list?

Alone in the Studio

Being a lone wolf in creating music definitely has its good points. Total creative license from inception to finished production is liberating. But, there are times that solitary creativity is an albatross. Having to be both the engineer and technician in the studio means you set up and tear down over and over again to find the right combinations and sounds for each piece of music. Trial and error becomes the name of the game when choosing sounds and arrangements for each stanza and line.  Hours pass while ensuring instruments are in working order. Setting sound levels, setting up microphones, and determining the right number of tracks all happens before you even play or sing a note of music. 

Added to that, when you have domestic duties on the side, your creative consciousness gets interrupted regularly. Carving out chunks of time to get into the “zone” is challenging at best. Once the music is performed, there’s more tweaking – should the guitars be out front, should you add effects to the vocals, and does this track need more percussion, or less strings? It sure would be nice on most days to have other knowledgeable musicians, engineers, and technicians who could help with the work and decisions.

That said, it sure is nice to have complete control over the whole process. There’s something supremely satisfying in arriving at a finished product and knowing it is exactly how you wanted it to be. Would I change the process? Probably not, since I get the satisfaction of fulfilling my own musical dream.