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!!

 

 

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– 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.