From the Road, On a Musical Level → Phantom Resumes
There is a behavior amongst musicians that can be very annoying.
I have encountered it on many occasions and we’re all guilty of it to some degree. With some it’s almost an obsession.
Self promotion is absolutely essential in every musician’s career but there is a point where it crosses the line of truth and decency.
I don’t know whether it stems from insecurity, self validation, or both. Some people have a brain that’s stuck on self promotion to the degree that self promotion invades every conversation.
I don’t mind yarn spinning about road experiences or famous types we’ve played for, it’s just that sometimes I’d rather talk about the weather or our pets or their kids.
The thing that really annoys me is when musicians are constantly bragging about their days with so and so when in reality they only played once or twice with the person. Some musicians build their resumes with the names of people who might have conducted a clinic at their school, or taught at a camp. It is hard to tell fact from reality sometimes.
A few years ago when I was in the hospital I received a well wishing phone call from one of these no-life-but-self-promotion types. I held the earphone about a foot away from my ear as they went on and on about so and so (who they played for one time), as if they had been best friends. The visitor in the room noticed my agitation about the call and I explained the phenomena to her.
She laughed and suggested that I compile a list of every musician I could remember playing with at least once. Since I had little to do but heal, I dusted off my memory as best I could and began jotting. I have been adding to the list from time to time as some of the clouds in my head have dissipated. It’s definitely a work in progress, (as I am too)!
I will post the list in the Musings section under the title of “Musical Associates”.
If you stumble upon this list and have played with me at some point and don’t see your name please E-mail me and clue me in. I assure you that exclusion is not deliberate, and I’d love to hear from you anyway. I’ll post the names as my memory resuscitates.
Jennifer Leitham
March 28, 2007
