One of my all-time favorite youtube clips is from the
Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, aired on Feb 19th, 1969. It's of Glen and Stevie
Wonder sitting down together at a white grand piano, Glen with
his guitar, and pure magic happens. The song is "Blowin' in the Wind"
by Bob Dylan, and the soul that they both put into those five minutes is
incredible. I have watched this clip hundreds of times, and every single time I
weep.
Part of it is that these are two supremely talented
musicians, both with voices of gold, and the two of them together is pure
bliss. Part of it is the amazing lyrics of the song by Bob Dylan. And part of
it is that Glen and Stevie, in that moment, are living the message of the song
they are singing. A white man and a black man sitting together to make music
aired on national television in 1969, asking the question "How many times
can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see?".
Sometimes I weep because it seems that nothing has
changed in the world since when that song was written and since that great
moment in television history. Sometimes I weep because I don't have words to
express my sadness with the world. And sometimes I weep because I'm inspired;
inspired to work hard to be the change I want to see in the world. There is
always work to be done.
All of this brings me back to this video time and time
again. It reminds me that music can do amazing things: break down barriers of
color, age, class, religion...you name it. And it helps to keep me inspired to
do my part in breaking those barriers down.
Want some inspiration: check out the link below for the
video!
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