CROSSROADS
“ You can’t put a price on peace of mind
You can’t put a price on peace of mind
You will get to a crossroads some time in your life …
But no, you can’t put a price on peace of mind “
- William Prince -
I woke up well before sunrise, a little hazy from the generous helpings of Jack Daniels I’d had the night before. I was on my camping stretcher in my sleeping bag, warm and comfortable and I was listening to Southern Accents Radio. Dave Cobb, the host and incredible record producer of some of my favourite albums and artists like Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton was interviewing Fiona Prine, the wife of the late, great and incomparable John Prine. They were telling stories and spinning their favourite John Prine songs.
And so, with my hero’s songs in the cool morning air the dawn broke over the eastern horizon. My “room” for the night was the old Air Traffic Control Tower in Potchefstroom and I was surrounded by the last black and blues of the night to the West and the first purple, red and oranges of Sunday to the East. My friend Bokkie was still asleep two levels below and my voice and fingers were aching from our successful Vagabonds show at Loop Str Restaurant in town. I realised once again how fortunate I am to have friends that are family and how lucky I am to have experiences like this in a world filled with struggle and strife.
This past Sunday I finally, after nearly nine months, received word that my visa for Qatar had been approved and that I have a limited time to get myself over there and start my training. A storm of mixed emotions crossed my mind as I handed in my resignation. I’ve been an air traffic controller at Johannesburg International airport since 2011 and I have learnt so much, made countless friends and I have seen things in the profession too many to mention. Materially,and in many aspects, intellectually I owe so much to my current employer. Excellent training, life long friends and the opportunity to work some of the most complex airspaces I have ever seen. After almost two decades though, I am ready to take on new challenges in my chosen profession, embark on new adventures and learn to become a better controller. I’m excited about living in a new country, learning about new cultures and saving up for my dream to move to the family farm permanently. None of this comes without sacrifice and hardship. A lot of goodbyes and the realisation that there will be friendships and connections that will suffer in the process. There will be times where I will miss big days, dates and events but I will keep my eyes and mind open, have empathy and when I’m back home from time to time I’ll be HOME!! I’ll do my absolute best to maintain important relationships and friendships and I hope it gets reciprocated. In the end logistic challenges and geographic inconvenience will take its toll and it weighs heavy on my mind. On the other hand I’m exited about meeting new people, making new friends and forging more enduring relationships.
My old guitar will be right there with me and with my notebook close I’m sure I’ll be able to share more songs and stories, capture my travels and adventures and write many more songs I can play in smoky bars along the way. I will also keep recording and get the material out into the world as soon as I can. Regardless of the shambles large parts of the music and entertainment industry might be in I truly believe there is still a place for honest songwriting, quality production and memorable, intimate performances. I also believe that people still want to hear a rowdy country-rock band from time to time and join them on a magical train ride where they can laugh, cry and reminisce. All is not lost and all I have to do is stay honest in my art and get to work.
Thank you for your love and for supporting my artistic endeavours and personal ambitions. Thank you for reading this newsletter. I’ll keep it going and I’ll make sure you know when I’m passing through your town with a dirty Stetson and a beat up guitar. I’ll have a story to tell and a song to share and I’d love to listen to yours and perhaps scribble a few of your lines down in my notebook.
JB
