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.
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
