Day 12: Community (Berkley to Ventura)

I talk about community every night; about the current plight of immigrants, about the diaspora, about taking care of one another.

Zoomed in, my community right now is the twenty or so musicians and crew across four bands, that are a part of this tour package. Clusters of people whose day revolves around making it to a predetermined location to perform in front of people who gathering to watch.

How long have humans been doing this for? And here we are still. And here I am playing my part in the tradition.

Back to community.

My buddy Chris, who plays in the headlining band, got me an amp on loan for the rest of the tour. Problem solved.

Another dude who had initially been less than friendly to me and my crew, is now the most accommodating and helpful to us on stage. Issue solved

All the bands are sharing the same gear to save costs and expedite changeovers. Logistics solved.

From the top down, everything depends on everyone doing their part; being on time, having awareness, being considerate. The ship would otherwise sink.

My crew and I are rowing along. Last night was a late one, today we had an early six-hour-drive. We hardly hand out instructions, every member of my inner community knows his role. It's how things done.

That's exactly what I mean every night when I say that ripping communities apart is not the way to build anything positive. I see the opposite example every day in what we build on an off the stage. It works. That's the key.

Back to community.