Country music singers:
Personal lives and payment in advance
Country music singers may appear one way to the outside world and another to those with whom they are close. As fans or lovers of country music, it’s easy to forget that the artists we see on the TV screen in our family rooms, or on the “big screen” at the movie theater, are people just like us. There is one exception: they “made it big” with their talents, but humanly, they have the same hurts, pains, likes, dislikes or loves as everyone else. In many cases, the country music songs they sing tell the world what is going on in their souls. Listen and you will hear!
Just as we enjoy touching people’s lives in a positive way, so do country music singers. Having this awareness is the central point of this article. Take a look into the personal lives of the artists, who they were before, during, and after their fame and fortune, and how they use their wealth, knowledge, and connections to impact the lives of others.
Personal Life Defined
How is the personal life of an individual described? Wikipedia says: “In modern times, many people have come to think that their personal life is separate from work. Work and play are different; you are either at work or not, and the transition is abrupt.” The definition makes a distinction between being at work and not being at work. Being at work seems to dictate one method of behavior, while being away from work signals another. Once the job is clearly known, behavior when one is there must be different from behavior when one is not there.
Personality, on the other hand, defines the core of a person’s being: their individuality. Unless you’re especially clever at deception, observing habitual patterns and behavioral qualities give insight into who a person really is. Beware of attitude! Take a look at the physical nuances and soon the real person will shine through.
Society equates financial success and prestige with good character and strong moral values. One has nothing to do with the other. A DUI for a country music singer shouldn’t make headlines if a DUI for “Joe Blow” doesn’t make headlines.
There are those who would say: “That is the price you pay for fortune and fame”, or “Fortune and fame are only placed on broad shoulders, carry them carefully”. The other side of that argument is “As long as I give you great music, what I do outside of that is my business and not yours.” Should character, conduct and motives be private? Such a question is food for thought and is not the focus of this article.
The underlying principle that governs what you do at work must govern your motives and actions outside of work. There are consequences for all actions, famous or not famous, rich or poor.
pay forward
The phrase “pay in advance” is thrown into today’s talks like a basketball in a “tiebreaker” game. What does it mean? How does it apply to country music singers?
I read several definitions before writing this article, and the one that many readers said was: “When something, usually good, happens to you, you turn around and do something good for someone else. Instead of giving something back, you are paying for it.” “forward” to the next person”.
The writer is simply saying that an act of kindness done by you is worth doing an act of kindness for someone else, not necessarily the person who did it for you. It’s just the rule of thumb livened up a bit. Now that we’re all on the same page about the meaning, the question arises: “Do you think country music singers pay up front?” This article takes the position that they do. Millions of fans pay for it by buying the artists’ CDs and DVDs. How do the artists respond?
Country music singers in five ways
pay it later
1. Support from numerous charitable organizations.
2. Promote and help other struggling artists achieve success.
3. Become role models for youth in disadvantaged communities.
4. Share personal failures in their lives so that others can avoid the same mistakes.
5. Develop networks that help others establish the core values that bring happiness and success.
6. Use songs and ballads to inspire thoughtful ways to “return the favor.”
Examples of artists who pay in advance
Country music artists have a unique way of telling a story, a story that deepens and pulls the strings of your soul. The song The Chain of Love by Clay Walker explains the essence of this article. He says, “Kindness given to you should be passed on to someone else.” This is how he said it:
“THE CHAIN OF LOVE” by Clay Walker
He was driving home one night
In his beat up Pontiac
When an old woman beckoned to him,
His Mercedes had a puncture
I could see that she was scared,
standing there in the snow
Until he said, “I’m here to help you, ma’am,
By the way, my name is Joe.”
She said, “I’m from St. Louis,
And I’m just passing through
I must have seen a hundred cars go by
This is very kind of you.”
When you changed the tire,
and closed his trunk
And he was about to leave
She said, “How much do I owe you?”
This is what I had to say
You owe me nothing, I’ve been there too
Someone once helped me
Just the way I’m helping you
If you really want to pay me back,
this is what you do
Don’t let the chain of love end with you
Well a few miles down the road
The lady saw a small cafe.
She went in to grab a bite to eat,
And then go on your way
But she couldn’t help but notice,
How the waitress smiled so sweet
And how it must have been eight months,
And dead on her feet
And though she didn’t know his story,
And probably never will
When the waitress went to get her change,
From a hundred dollar bill
The lady slipped through the door,
And on a napkin I leave a note
There were tears in the waitress’s eyes,
When you read what you wrote
You owe me nothing,
I have been there too
Someone once helped me
Just the way I’m helping you
If you really want to pay me back,
this is what you do
Don’t let the chain of love end with you
That night when he got home from work,
The waitress got on the bed.
She was thinking about money
And what the note from the lady said
As her husband lay there sleeping,
She whispered soft and low
“Everything is going to be alright, I love you, Joe”
Another artist named Brian Asselin made a CD called Pay It Forward. He has been described by some listeners with these superlatives: “Unbelievable! World changing! Awesome!” and “Fate on humanity restored!” I’m not sure I agree with all of them, but what I can agree with is that he clearly suggests that the humanity of man to man needs adjustment. His version of returning the favor may be the answer. Find it on iTunes.
In 2000, a movie called Pay It Forward states that “when someone does you a big favor, don’t pay it back” by doing something useful for the same person, but pay it back by helping someone else. You may find that that person needs it more than the person who did you the favor.
Supporting charities is another way country music artists get paid, as Brad Paisley saw in 2009. He attended a fundraiser for the Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota. The organization supports charities that help improve the lives of children in many situations and conditions. He also donated a signed guitar for the auction.
Finally, in 2010, an online show called Not Alone used country music artist Craig Morgan as its new spokesperson for soldiers suffering from combat stress. A once soldier, Morgan understands the hardships that military life places on individuals and families. Not Alone’s purpose is to offer confidential counseling and support to military personnel dealing with depression, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. These are some examples of artists who pay in advance.
Most country music singers who achieve success don’t do so without a lot of human sacrifice. These sacrifices help mold and shape their personalities, define their ideologies, and determine their core values.
Behind the glitter of stardom, many have fragile souls that are torn apart by gossip, headlines, and thoughtless people who haven’t learned what it means to “return the favor.” Money has no power to heal the pain and mend the broken heart. It simply allows you to buy “stuff”.