Resolutions In Action


If you take a moment and look back at almost every newsletter I’ve ever sent out, you’ll find a definite recurring theme. It has always been my belief that music is a passion that creates a thread that so many of us share and bond over. Most of my memories are tethered to a song, a concert, or some musical experience that has shaped my mind and heart in some form or another. As the saying goes, music is the soundtrack to our lives, and it can so easily transport us through time.

My initial plan for a follow up newsletter to Resolutions was to announce a new initiative here at The Audio Guy.

In line with my resolutions for this year, I am starting a program. I plan to designate a charity every quarter that we will donate 5% of our profits to.

I believe that most of us, in this day and age, are ready for kindness, generosity, and well, frankly, are sick of the hatred and anger. I choose to make efforts and foster hope that will enact positive change in the world, to the best of my ability.

Anyone that knows me- or those that allow me to talk on and on- will attest that I am a huge fan of the Canadian rock band, Rush. I have been since I first heard 2112 in 1978. Yep, that was a long time ago. I am still just as much- no, most definitely more so- a fan today. Though my love for Rush could fill the next twenty newsletters, I will refrain from doing so and use this moment to announce with a very heavy heart that I learned recently that the drummer and lyricist, Neil Peart, has succumbed to a battle with brain cancer. Neil was the biggest musical influence on my life. As a lyricist, he wrote the soundtrack to my life. I feel so fortunate to have grown up at the time I did.

Neil was 10 years older than me and I suspect that whatever inspired him at the time he was formulating his thoughts for his lyrics, I was likely that age when the songs finally came out.

I have seen Rush live more than seventy times, flying to cities around the continent to attend shows. They have meant the world to me. I have shared them with my wife, both of my daughters, many friends, and other die hard life-long fans. As much as music bonds us together, unfortunately, so too does cancer. I dare say that anyone reading this hasn’t been touched by this horrible disease. My parents both had cancer- my mom passed from it. I’ve lost friends, colleagues, and more loved ones than I can count. Even for those it hasn’t taken on to another place, it has surely changed the lives of many.

With the tragic loss to the music world of Neil Peart, The Audio Guy will be donating 5% of the profits from our first quarter to MD Anderson. They were the facility my dad went to shortly after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and with their help, he was able to stick around another 30 years.

So, to honor Neil Peart, this will be our first charity. If you’d prefer to donate outside of our drive, you can do so here. If you are so inspired, like we are, join us in donating in Neil Peart’s name.

Donate to MD Anderson Cancer Center (University of Texas)

Though there are so many songs he wrote the lyrics to that have moved me, this is the acoustic version of one Resist, of my favorites. Below the video are the lyrics.

I can learn to resist
Anything but temptation
I can learn to co-exist
With anything but pain

I can learn to compromise
Anything but my desires
I can learn to get along
With all the things I can’t explain

I can learn to resist
Anything but frustration
I can learn to persist
With anything but aiming low

I can learn to close my eyes
To anything but injustice
I can learn to get along
With all the things I don’t know

You can surrender
Without a prayer
But never really pray
Pray without surrender

You can fight
Without ever winning
But never ever win
Without a fight

-Neil Peart 
September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020

 

– Clay Hankins, President

 

 

 

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How will you start your decade?

Happy New Year!!!

 

Like most, this time of year always puts me in a contemplative mood. New Year’s is always a time to reflect on the past year and set forth plans for the next. As in past years, I plan to lose weight, go to the gym more, and generally, take better care of myself.

This particular new year, 2020, starts a new decade. From what I’ve seen on social media, it seems that people have been especially reflective, and I am no different. What have I done the past 10 years other than age, lose some hair, and add a few pounds? For me, this past decade was both exceptionally rewarding as well as challenging. That sums up my business pretty succinctly. On a personal level, it has been that as well. I lost both of my parents, both of my daughters are now “adulting” and out of the house, and my wife and I celebrated our fifteenth and twenty-fifths anniversaries!! Ups and downs for sure.

Where do we go from here?

As 2020 begins, and I start this decade with my usual resolutions, I have decided to add a particularly important one to me, and one that I hope inspires you as well.

A few days ago, while my daughter and son-in-law were visiting for Christmas, we were each sharing some of our favorite music videos.

A recent discovery for me is a version of The Band’s “The Weight” shared on YouTube by a charity organization, Playing for Change.

In short, the song is recorded as featuring Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr, but it also features several artists singing and playing from countries all around the world. It’s hard to watch this video and not find yourself singing along-loudly, for me. As the song builds to a resounding conclusion, I find that I am always in a much better mood than when it began!!! Music almost always puts me in a better mood. This video, with its global connections, speaks to me about something I want to do more of next year, next decade, and with however much time I have left here on this earth!

 

So what is this resolution?

Starting in 2020, I will focus more on the positive and good that people are doing. I will put more resources towards organizations that are working to change the world for the better and I will listen to more music that makes me sing loudly!!! Oh, plus lose weight, go to the gym more, and generally, take better care of myself!

Here is the video for your enjoyment, I hope you feel the same way. Happy New Year, and to you all: a safe and prosperous start to a new decade!!

 

 

For insights into adding music, video or smart tech to any space, visit audioguydfw.com or contact us for a free home consultation.

– Clay Hankins, President

My parents have passed to the next dance. But I’m so glad for the memories and the love of music they instilled in me. Vinyl records mean a lot to many, but for even more of you, there’s a world to discover and rediscover. We will spend a few newsletters talking about the magic of vinyl records. To think, they make music without any computer chips – it’s all mechanical!
A few things to consider. First, vinyl records actually do represent the pinnacle of music reproduction for many music lovers. It’s not only the full size album art, notes and wrapping – it’s the sound. There’s an ‘organic’ richness that’s found in only the best of digital sources. So much so that many musical artists have taken it on themselves to release their latest recordings on vinyl as well as digitally. Sometimes, they even include more songs in a deluxe vinyl release! Recent special editions came out from Bjork, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, and even the soundtrack to Guardians of the Galaxy (note to Marvel fans – records sound better than cassette tape!) Ready to take the spin? So are we.

 

 

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