Privacy...

One of my very favorite private spots, that is before Hurricane Ike rearranged the landscape and ripped out the trees. Today was my day to contemplate privacy - especially in the artist's life.

There was a time many, many years ago when I went to an open audition held by a record label somewhat based in Dallas. All comers were recorded in an enormous studio, I did one of my original songs, and all went quite well. Not too long after that, I received a letter inviting me to come talk business with them.

For several reasons that really had to do more with where I was in life, my naivete, and my knowledge of what the music business might be like, I ended up declining the invitation. So "What if?", right? In hindsight, I'm sure I madethe right decision for me, though I know there were some who wondered, still do, why I didn't follow through on the offer.

All this past history took a little revisit today as I was reading an interview with Hugh Laurie, the actor/musician of note from England who has become so insanely popular across the globe for his portrayal of House, M.D. He was discussing, among other things, the paranoia which stems from being hounded by all manner of people with cell phone cameras ready to send any picture, comment, out of context remark or expression out over the internet for the world to make its own. I thought, "Yes, the loss of privacy, for yourself and those you love - that, I didn't think I could do." Privacy, totally ripped from one's control as with the onslaught of hurricane-force winds.

It has been said that in any art, the moment you finish your creation, it is no longer yours, but becomes the property of the audience and subject to their interpretation. What a complicated thing for an actor or singer in a world where people often forget, or refuse, to separate the creator from the creation. Where people often try to "take ownership" of that artist's life in addition to the art...

For this particular artist, I do wish him well. His heart seems to be in the right place.