Endurance.

The media labels the winner of the gold medal at each Olympics' 100-meter dash event as "The World's Fastest Man".

This has always seemed a dubious title to me, as the winner of the 100-meter dash is clearly only the world's fastest man... when it comes to running the 100-meter dash.

What about all of the other, longer races? What about the marathons that take hours to complete? What about the endurance events that would no-doubt result with the sprinters (the "World's Fastest Man" among them) finishing at the back of the pack?

This world celebrates speed over endurance. It praises immediacy over perseverance. It looks to the here-and-now while trying to pretend like the long run isn't even a thing. 

The 1975 were together as a band for seven years before finally getting picked up by a label. Publishers passed on Stephen King's first novel 30 times. Bill Gates' first business was a total failure. Steven Spielberg was rejected by USC's film school. Twice.

The 100-meter dash is an impressive event, but it's also the one that's finished the soonest. The world celebrates young success and - in the name of "common sense" - encourages people to give up & change direction when things don't go right. But some of the most potent & accomplished artists, entrepreneurs, and success stories the world has ever known were born out out of adversity, rejection, and overcoming failure.

Endurance.
Diligence.
Persistance.
Perseverance.

These qualities are the unsung heroes of dreamers all over the world. Learn how to endure - how to be patient, how to wait while working hard, how to keep the faith - and your dreams will learn how to survive in the face of incredible adversity.

Let the sprinters have the 100-meter dash. Learn how to run the marathon.

Quincy Tells It Like It Is

Legendary producer and arranger Quincy Jones recently shared some insight on the modern music industry.

"Music has gone so far down lately because everyone is going after the money," he says. "People are making songs to sell all sorts of things such as tires, clothes and alcohol. When you go after the money, God walks out of the room, trust me. I never went out after the fame and money. I was just doing what I loved and the money came. You gotta do what you love and really believe in it because that is your truth. I plan to stay like that." 

Read and consider the rest of his thoughts on the industry, hip hop, techno, and the difference between contemporary and more... ahem... classic producers like Quincy himself here. I might respectfully suggest that such words from a living legend and a more-than-five-decade veteran of the music industry should carry some weight for those of us looking both to make music our living as well as for those who just enjoy being fans and listening.

Seems to me it might be time to reconsider a few things.

Somebody at Salon.com Gets It Right

I am, simply put, not a fan of salon.com. However, this article on David Foster Wallace and his prescient views on the effects of irony on art & culture contained the following brilliant excerpt:

'To make something new, to transcend, one must have an honest relationship with what is: history, context, form, tradition, oneself. Dishonesty is the biggest obstacle to making original, great art. Dishonesty undermines a work’s internal integrity — the only standard by which a work can succeed. If the work becomes a vehicle for one’s ego, personal or political agenda, self-image, desire for fame, adulation, fortune — human as these inclinations may be — the work will be limited accordingly.'

 Like I said, brilliant.

Time Lapsing in Portland

Check out this time lapse video shot by students at the University of Portland, our hosts this past weekend for a show that featured Tyler Ward & Alex G opening for the incomparable Andy Grammer.

We had a fantastic time playing Rock The Bluff, and I can't say enough about the way we were taken care of by everyone who put on the show. From taking us out to the legendary Voodoo Donuts immediately after picking us up at the airport, to meeting all of our backstage needs and getting up early the morning after the concert to make sure we made our flights home, everyone at the U of P went above and beyond to make this show happen and to make sure that us musicians - and not just the students - had a great weekend.

At about the 1:24 mark of the video, you can see yours truly (in a bright teal-colored tee shirt) setting up his drumset on the side of the stage while Andy Grammer's band was soundchecking. (Look closely, and you'll probably be able to make out the entire T-Ward Crew, as well.)

Also, for some additional U of P hijinks, check out this interview the campus newspaper conducted before the show.

Dave Grohl's Advice for Aspiring Musicians

Pay close attention to what Dave Grohl has to say to up-and-coming artists and bands.


No matter how an artist chooses to promote themselves or distribute their music, the live experience will always be it. It will always be the thing. I think most of us would be hard-pressed to think of a single great musical act that has endured for decades that could not deliver live. Cover videos and online distribution and, as Dave puts it here, "product placement" are fine, but they cannot and will never replace the power of awesome live performance.

If you want to make fans for life, blow them away from the stage - great performance of great songs. Everything else is tertiary.

Sean Waldron - "She's Got"

Here's the final result of a recording & video production that I got to be a part of a few weeks ago with the über-talented Sean Waldron. Be on the lookout towards the final chorus for the answer to the question as to just who happens to be displaying such mind-blowing rhythmic mastery on the song's drum track.


(And don't forget to pick the song up here if you dig it!)