The next generation- an exploration into music 2011

 I am very proud to say I have passed on the love of music to my children. My own diversified tastes have trickled down to my spawn leading them to listen to the likes of broadway musicals, old time jazz, and modern day pop. However in this tech savvy time we call 2011 I am working twice as hard to keep up with my children and their music exposure. This morning was a prime time for me to play catch up. With all the crew tucked in and sleeping I hit the media with a focus and determination to get a picture of todays music scene. Bouncing between three different "music television" channels, youtube, and iTunes I listened, watched, observed, and took notes. To sum up all my studies in a word I guess I would use "frightened". Here is an additional source of words (thesaurus.com)that applied:

abashed, aghast, alarmed, anxious,apprehensive, aroused, blanched, cowardly,cowed, daunted, discouraged, disheartened,dismayed, distressed, disturbed, faint-hearted,frightened, frozen, have cold feet, horrified, inawe, intimidated, nervous, panic-stricken,perplexed, perturbed, petrified, rattled, runscared, scared, scared stiff, scared to death,shocked, spooked, startled, stunned, suspicious,terrified, terror-stricken, timid, timorous,trembling, upset, worried

It wasn't necessarily the content that bothered me. In today's attitude of no boundary, pleasure seeking, money starved youth, artists like "Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, and Eminem(not picking on the hip hop realm they are just the names sticking to my brain this morning) cannot say or sing anything that will shock or offend me. The content subject is something I can control and limit exposure(or at least try to) to my kids. What I cant control is the mesh of "pop" music into the world of rock, hip hop, r/b, and even country music.

The fact that artists are crossing lines and expanding boundaries should be a great thing. Something to look forward to right? No. Hell no! Unfortunately the "music" of all these collaborations sound the SAME! There is my fear friends. Losing any and all form of originality. I felt raw sense of loss this morning with the music I was listening to. A merge of electronic tones mixed with unimpressive vocals and scarce instrumentals seems to be the driving trend. Where have the impact artists gone? Where is this generation's Madonna, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, The rolling stones or Van Halen? Lil Wayne and Lady Gaga are not going to cut it.Where can we begin to find a Roberta Flack, Eric Clapton or John Lennon? Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, or Usher? I think not. When children are more likely to pick up a mixing board and computer vs. a trumpet or drum sticks how can we hope to find our new Sachmo, Gene Krupa, or Carter Beauford? Alicia Keys was the closest I could surmise.

There is talent out there. For me to ignore that would be ignorant on a level I am not willing to even think about. There is music being made which is impressive, enjoyable, and creative. However it is getting increasingly harder to find. So how do I hope to change something in which I have no control? By encouragement. Friends and family I am going to ask you to dig. Dig into the world of music and find sources of talent. Seek out that original sound, goose-bump-causing vocal, or sick piano solo. Take the time to listen to the "indie" artist. Then support them! Find the shows, seek out the albums, and expose them to as many people you can!  Encourage your children to listen to everything! Diversify your taste. Lets join together and save the music of today!!