There's a lot of good people out here that want to help you grow and to help the music to continue to grow and evolve and go find those folks and be around them and carry it on... carrying the tradition on in the way with what it is that you have to offer. Find some good people in the music that will believe in you and they'll help you do that.
Jon GordonI have to say, music was always my self preservation survival technique. This sort of sacred space in my life and in my mind.
Jon GordonSometimes I would go on Sundays and play with Doc Cheatham. I was also playing in a band of teenagers led by Don Sickler called Young Sounds, and The McDonald's Big Band led by Rich De Rosa and Justin Di Cioccio. All those guys were great educators and musicians and taught me a lot! Simultaneous to all this, another one of my musical fathers came into my life, Eddie Locke.
Jon Gordon[Charles McPherson] was kind enough to go to a record gig of mine where we recorded a song of his.
Jon GordonWhen you believe, the impossible becomes possible. What you believe will become what is true. Your optimism today will determine your level of success tomorrow. Donโt look at your challenges; look up and look out into the future. Donโt focus on your circumstances. Focus on the right beliefs that will help you build your success.
Jon GordonEverybody wants the quick fix, but it doesn't happen overnight. You have to be willing to put it out there. I call it 'the secret to being an overnight success,' which means there really isn't a such thing as an overnight success. ! The secret is you work really hard for 10 years, and then you become an overnight success.
Jon Gordon