March 26, 2021 • 44 mins
Music Soothes the Soul.
MUSIC FOR THE SOUL - this is a good one. DAMN good. Highlighting the very best clips from my music interviews on The Happiness Quotient, consider this a Get Stoked for the Weekend or Week or Day or Life starter kit. Each short clip is accompanied by a cut from each of the musician's respective studio albums.
Featuring these fine musicians and their tune following:
Daniel Donato - Fire On The Mountain
Oliver Wood - The Battle Is Over: But War Goes On
Mickey Raphael - Hand To Mouth
The Reverend Freakchild - Keep On Praying
Seth Walker - We Got This
DANIEL DONATO, the Cosmic Cowboy - his new album is called A Young Man's Country, and you can find it here on Daniel's website at
http://danieldonato.com/
Daniel's podcast is Daniel Donato's Lost Highway:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daniel-donatos-lost-highway/id1452703574
OLIVER WOOD of The Wood Brothers
For more about the coolest cat and greatest living American songwriter, Oliver Wood:
https://www.oliverwoodmusic.com/
MICKEY RAPHAEL
Mickey's website is www.mickeyraphael.com
The tune Hand to Mouth, the music is courtesy of Mickey Raphael
THE REVEREND FREAKCHILD
Keep on Praying! His New Album
Supramundane Blues
Now available here:
https://www.www-reverendfreakchild.org/
SETH WALKER:
This man is full of wisdom, and creates very beautiful music.
For more on Seth and to find his book and music, visit:
https://sethwalker.com/
=========
For more information about Thom Pollard:
http://eyesopenproductions.com/
For a free downloadable copy of A Course In Happiness:
www.patreon.com/thehappinessquotient
Our theme song, Happiness Jones, appears courtesy of The Wood Brothers.
For more information about The Wood Brothers:
https://www.thewoodbros.com/
The Wood Brothers on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTvWKQovDZlLceuct1EEMMQ
Happiness Jones video can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKIoiVWwF5A
For more about Thom Dharma Pollard, about personal coaching or his inspirational presentations, virtual or in person, find him at:
www.eyesopenproductions.com
To join his mailing list for The Happiness Quotient, email him at thom.dharma.pollard@gmail.com
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Click on the link below:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/268133/support
Thank you!
Thom Dharma Pollard
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Thom Pollard (00:00):
This is the happiness quotient. Have you
(00:11):
heard of a course in happiness?
In this short, colorful guidereplete with gorgeous adventure
photographs, the easy to readguide suggests how to stop
chasing happiness. To unlock themysteries to life's big
questions in an easy to followsimple method of living that
will help you live the life youwere meant to go to patreon.com
(00:33):
slash the happiness quotient.
Don't worry, I don't ask you formoney. On that page, you'll find
a free download of a course inhappiness.
The Wood Brothers (00:48):
All of my wisdom came from the tough dance
today. And they have a learnedthing in happy and appreciative
and happy
Thom Pollard (01:09):
Welcome to the happiness quotient on Thom
Pollard. I love music. I love toplay music. I love to listen to
music. It soothes my soul. Asong or album can fit literally
any mood. It can make me laugh,make me cry, think, see things
from a different light. Musicliterally helps transform the
(01:31):
soul. One of the inspirationsfor this very podcast coming
into being was an interview Iheard with Neil Young, and he
talked about following the paththat he knew he was destined for
it must have resonated with mebecause it kind of felt like me,
except I wasn't trying to becomea professional musician. Neil
(01:52):
talked about following hismusical course. And when In so
doing, one will experiencecollateral damage along the way.
But also in doing it one willcreate many more beautiful
things that they otherwise wouldnever have been able to create.
So in essence, we pay a pricefor following our heart and
(02:13):
passion. But in so doing, weopen the portal to greater Self
Realization, limitlesscreativity, and an understanding
that there is beauty in all ofthe vicissitudes of life, the
good, the bad, the tragic, andthe mysterious. Consider this
episode and inspiration starterkit. We're going to sample short
(02:36):
clips from a handful ofbrilliantly talented and
creative musicians who have beenguests on this podcast, people
who have graced the world withthe beauty of their expression,
and will play a cut of theirmusic after each short clip.
Unknown (02:51):
DANIEL DONATO MUSIC
Thom Pollard (03:00):
Daniel Donato. The cosmic cowboy was a guest in
November 2020, Episode Number61. Absolutely, without a doubt
one of the most empoweringpositive individuals I've had
the pleasure of knowing. Danieltalked about two kinds of regret
in life and his recipe forsuccess. The three P's He is
(03:22):
also a devotee of the GratefulDead and plays a soulful fire on
the mountain.
Let's say that there's somebodylistening to this episode, and
(03:44):
they're inspired and but they'renot really living their true
passion in life. And what wouldyou say to that man or woman or
kid, girl or boy who's like, Iwant to be this but my mom and
dad won't let me or I'm too damnafraid to not be able to pay my
mortgage next moniel nielDAYeah,
Daniel Donato (04:04):
I've experienced the one I've experienced the
former where other people tellme I can't do things. And I
always say, um, you got to trustyourself first, because it's
life as a single player game.
And if you have the idea to dosomething, then it makes sense
for you to do it. There's twokinds of of regrets in life fear
of action, and then fear ofinaction. In most fears. Most
(04:26):
regrets are rendered under thefear of inaction statistically,
they interview you know, a lotof people on their deathbeds of
varying cultures of varyingages, people that are my age
when they die by age 25, andthey have fear of inactions
already. So I think fear ofinaction is something that's why
Jeff Bezos started Amazon. Soit's like, you gotta you got to
(04:47):
take action. I think that's theyounger thing to answer your
first one about somebody who'syounger that is afraid to do
something. Um, be more afraid ofnot doing something than a den
be being afraid of doingsomething and failing. And I
think the second one which Ihaven't yet crossed that bridge
in life, yet it age wise,responsibility wise, but I see
my father crossing it every daywhich is do your work and work
(05:09):
hard, but then take time to playin whatever way that manifests
in your life. That's awesome.
And just staying true to that. Ithink that's the biggest thing
that there's something I say tomyself every day which is
patience, persistence andpositivity. I think um, I've
spoken to a lot of people on mypodcast I've just met a lot of
people through playing musicfrom just so many different
(05:31):
cultures in different businessesthat that have found success and
those really seem to beuniversally obligatory rules
that though I think the worldrewards if you operate within
Tom it's patience persistence,positivity. I think those really
are the signs of a winner
MUSIC (05:50):
FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN standing there
Unknown (06:29):
get up standin
Daniel Donato (06:47):
dragon with matching take some
Unknown (06:56):
cool him.
Daniel Donato (08:00):
He takes
Unknown (08:02):
you stay on
Daniel Donato (08:08):
this live he This is a business
for more than just dreams cometrue. Bye Hold on now caught in
Seth Walker (12:53):
some motion
Unknown (12:56):
to the dog
Daniel Donato (12:58):
the same formula
Seth Walker (12:59):
Steve spent sped to the flow gave
Daniel Donato (13:10):
more that you gave to the thin NaVi campaign
Thom Pollard (14:13):
Oliver Woods wood of the wood brothers exemplifies
the American songwriter one ofthe most prolific and talented
singer songwriters today, all ofher joined us in September of
2020 Episode Number 53 talkedabout the creative process and
songwriting how it happens toyou only when you don't try to
(14:34):
force it to happen. COVID gavehim time to meditate, spend more
time with his family instead oftraveling the world on tour, and
importantly, create write newsongs. He's got a new album
coming out in May and I'll sharethat with you when that time
comes. And on this episode heshared with us tunes that he
just released soul of this townand the battle is over.
Oliver Wood (15:00):
MUSIC i've been k ocked down you and me would just
brei'm so interested in songwriting
(15:25):
and musicians and i read lots ofbiographies and i read
interviews with songwriters andjust how do they know what's
going on any creative personknow how do they process stuff
and it seems such a commonanswer is that they there's a
(15:48):
lot of it that's completelyunknown completely beyond their
control you know so when so andi love hearing stories from like
a paul simon or randy newman orcertain people can really
articulate what it's like jefftweedy has a new book that came
out last year that even for nonmusic people i recommend it's so
(16:11):
fascinating so well articulatedjust how that creative process
works but what i love the mostis the idea that number one
you're you're not in controlyou're in control of the craft
but the inspiration part is notsomething you're in control of
so so the idea then is that youyou are are to discover things
(16:35):
you're just discovering the songyou're like a kid like you're
discovering it you're searchingit you're following it you're
not pushing it you're not incontrol you're not you know you
just the whole idea of nottrying just doing you know and
just seeing where you end up andthe surprise of it all you know
(16:56):
you don't know how this is gonnaturn out foundations of
meditating and of justmindfulness is that is that
things are always changing youknow you're not gonna you're not
in control things are alwayschanging the only thing you're
in control of is knowing thatand accepting that and so anyway
somehow the creative idea ofcreative mindfulness is what i'm
(17:21):
really into right now and ithink that's what happens when
when people collaborate you'rejust making a new recipe you
know and that's what's that'swhat's cool about the wood
brothers is just experimentingand i think we're all of the
same mind like okay that soundslike the that's been done let's
not let's not do that we we makechoices based on that we've
(17:43):
already done that let's trysomething different or that's
the cool thing that only we dolet's do that again yeah it's
just fun should be a fundiscovery childlike process and
that's what it feels likeMUSIC BATTLE IS OVER sing the
(18:11):
song way worth written to beatthe drum you're gonna win the
battle is over to work everybodyplay remember when you jumped to
(18:36):
the eight o'clock Money be amillionaire thoughts can kill
(20:01):
there be no buddy he. Yeah, somany think and even tell him
where to solve the truth keepsus square
Thom Pollard (21:10):
harmonica player Mickey Rafael, my guest in May
2020 on episode 39 has beenWillie Nelson's harmonica player
since 1973. That is a lot ofWillie Nelson shows. Imagine
that. And when they first met,Mickey wasn't really even into
country music. The Tale of howhe met Willie is such a classic
(21:33):
story of how preparation andopportunity and pure chance come
crashing melodically andbeautifully together. I never
grow tired of hearing
Mickey Raphael (21:43):
I get a call one day from Darrell royal, who's
the coach of the University ofTexas football team. The stadium
in Austin is named after him.
And he's a patron of the artsand a serious music fan and
supporter. And he called up,left me a message to my folks
house in Dallas and said, Hey,we're in town for a ballgame. I
think it was Texas, Arkansas,and we're gonna have a little
(22:07):
picking session after the afterthe ballgame. Why don't you come
to my hotel and bring yourharmonica as a piece of my
friends. So I went and I knewnothing about football either or
country music but when I thinkbut I really pride who I had met
because he was a customer of mydad's furniture, furniture
(22:28):
business. But you know what,they pass a guitar around and
Willie was singing. I finallyhad time slips away and
nightlife and I'd recognizethose songs I kind of do that
stuff. And I just kind ofdoodled around on the harmonica,
struggling to play with him. Andhe's afterwards he says, Hey,
you can see over here we'replaying anywhere it comes in.
(22:52):
And a few weeks later, they wereplaying at a junior high
basketball you know, auditorium,basketball court, whatever. The
gym at a junior high south ofDallas, loxahatchee 2030 miles
south of Dallas, and volunteerbenefits for volunteer fire
department. So I went down thereand sat in with the band and it
(23:13):
was totally lost. And I think weplayed for our line four or five
times, and I just because it's agreat song to dance to, and
people would come up and requestsongs. And we'd play these two
step songs, you know, and it waslike being in a, you know, high
school combo. Yeah. And then itwas fun. And afterwards, we went
(23:34):
to a truck stop, which is whatyou do, and one in the morning
breakfast. And I was gettingready to leave. And I thought
well, I'm gonna have one morecup of coffee. And while I
stayed and did that, Williesays, Hey, we're going to New
York and a couple of weeks. Whydon't you go with us, going up
(23:55):
there to play Max's Kansas City,which was kind of a part of the
beginning punch tribes of NewYork, but they were bringing in
country acts like Waylon andWillie. While you can still see
Jim Carroll and the New YorkDolls. Wow. So before that was
like a month or so away, and Iwould go out on weekends and
(24:16):
find out where Willie wasplaying and drive my car again
to some of these little bars andblogs and marketplaces that were
calling because there were some,you know, lots of fights and
sitting with them just to kindof learn the repertoire. I
remember the story goes thatWillie asked Paul, what are we
(24:37):
paying Mickey and Paul, ourdrummer and bandleader who just
recently passed. said, well,we're not paying him anything.
He just come in to sit in andwhen he goes well double his
salary. So I kind of became amember of the band. I mean, I
never officially got hired, butI was never asked to leave Is
(24:57):
that still work and that wasYeah, that was kind of we were
already kind of alarmed by that.
Thom Pollard (26:19):
The Reverend Freak hild had just released his
lbum Bodie sought for blues alessing album that includes a
ouple Grateful Dead covers fromarch 2020, Episode Number 32.
he Reverend had been workinglso on his master's in divinity
rom the Naropa Institute inoulder, Colorado, and he talked
(26:39):
bout mindfulness in thepiritual life.
Reverend Freakchild (26:57):
You feel like there's nothing I can do.
And you know, this new album'scalled the bodhisatta blues and
jack kornfield. For people thatdon't know, he runs this thing
called spirit rock. And he wastalking about being a body soft,
of course, we, we thank thefirst responders and all the
medical people. And we alsothink that people that are
staying home and not gettingother people sick or not
spreading this around, andthough maybe some people think
(27:18):
we're overreacting, but we alsothink people that are taking
care of themselves. Like, if Iwere to be here, just like
you're saying that I choose totake care of myself, I choose to
be on the show with you talkingpositively. How can we make this
thing make some lemonade out ofthese lemons, we got you know,
and, and, you know, take care ofmyself prayer meditation, you
know, eating well, you know, ifI can take care of myself, when
(27:41):
something, you know, happens inmy life, I can better handle it
or make not make it worse, atleast you know, so that can be a
police officer as well. We'rejust taking care of ourselves.
You know, there's a part in theBuddhist scriptures where, you
know, I don't know how muchpeople know about you know, but
uh, he had this a cousin who washis attendant called a Nanda.
And he walked around with himand listened to all of his
(28:01):
teachings. And then afterwards,they wrote them all down,
according to what Nanda said,and so Nanda says, one time, the
Buddha says, You know, I thinkthat this, you know, talking
with people like theconversation we're having, you
know, conversing with friendsand colleagues is half of this
spiritual life. And he's justanother is always the straight
man. It's a Buddha, he is no oneon the Buddha says, conversation
(28:25):
like, this is all of thespiritual life, you know, and so
that's sort of lead in to bedoing interviews in light of
sort of my spiritual journey,you know, and, and it is, I
think, it's an amazing thingwhen, you know, like, the two of
us and if we have other peoplelistening to this is great, you
know, if somebody listens tothis, and this is a benefit to
them, that'll be wonderful. Youknow, that'll be you know, a
(28:46):
dedication of merit there youknow,
MUSIC REV FREAKCHILD I will beshooting mass every day, Jesus
(29:11):
Christ,the Word, the Bible. I guess I
(29:34):
can a shoutout And I'm the Christ.
(30:20):
No no.Damn body with his body.
Class say here and now
Unknown (30:55):
with waves there will be no
Reverend Freakchild (31:06):
class.
We just got
Unknown (31:14):
this job
Reverend Freakchild (31:33):
preaches on the show. commodity.
Unknown (32:10):
Love one another. No.
Thom Pollard (32:15):
Recently in Episode Number 72, the
troubadour himself, Seth Walker,who spoke to me about his book,
your van is on fire. Themiscellaneous meanderings of a
musician speaks passionately,without conceit about the muse.
It's important in these oftenconfusing times. This very
possibly is my favoriteinterview yet. As Seth said
(32:39):
recently about our chat, we wentsomewhere.
Seth Walker (32:45):
Yo, boy. He says, Mom, one. I'll be alright. with
just the sound you're trying toget
Thom Pollard (33:06):
to, you put the thinking in it, and it screws
the whole thing up. It's like it
Seth Walker (33:11):
goes. Yeah, yeah, it's
Unknown (33:12):
like, I want to be enlightened.
Thom Pollard (33:14):
And so there you are in a state of wanting to be
enlightened. It's just it.
Seth Walker (33:19):
There you go. It don't work.
It don't work that way. But it'sso funny, man. Really just
surrender to it. I mean, there'sbeen many times obviously
through the process where I havetried to grab it and steer it
and white knuckle it and it italways comes back to bite me on
(33:39):
the ads, because I becausethat's just not the way the Muse
works. It's not the waycreativity works.
Thom Pollard (33:46):
That man that is just so right on what the Muse
and so what is the Muse? I knowthis, this is like, sometimes
there are no words for it, butwhat is the Muse? What is your
Muse and, man What?
Seth Walker (34:04):
Well, it's definitely something that I
it's, it's, it's something thatI don't own. It's not mine. It's
really, you know, just trying tobe a conduit for it, to to let
to be open enough to let it comethrough. And, you know, and as
(34:27):
you as you as you grow and asyou try and fail and try and you
know that that Muse changes,some for sure, just like
obviously with the book I Ineeded. I've been playing music
My whole life and all sudden theworld's stopped and I'm staring
(34:50):
out the window, asking someserious questions. And, you
know, the Muse just kind ofredirected somehow thankful.
They redirected my spirittowards a new a new form
(35:12):
MUSIC SETH WALKER I know theirthoughts we live with Question
of the Day when and how in theworld but I want you to know I'm
(35:32):
feeling strong and I knowtogether we can carry on because
we got going we got but nownothing's gonna stand in the way
the chain that we have todaytogether to get together
(35:58):
we can think of all the troublethat we've made in our future
seems so unclear we gotta findoh wait a face let's run through
(36:24):
this shadow of doubt we got gonewe got no way to change that we
had to get together we got let'shold on and we'll drive through
(37:17):
shadow golf we got the way thechain we got we got we get
Thom Pollard (38:01):
I leave you with the words. We are here first and
foremost to explore our creativeabilities. to open up to the
truth of who we are, requires usthen to be only concerned about
where we come from within ourown consciousness. The way to
move this world to a place ofpeace is to come from a place of
(38:23):
peace from within yourself. sageadvice
thank you to the woods brothersand their management for the use
of their song happiness Jonesfor our theme song here on the
HQ
The Wood Brothers (38:42):
MUSIC all of y wisdom came from the tough da
ce today and they have a learnedthing
Thom Pollard (38:53):
if you'd like a free downloadable PDF of the
happiness quotients a course inhappiness visit me@patreon.com
slash the happiness quotient formore information about me to
inquire about personal coachingor public speaking in person or
virtually visit eyes openproductions.com
(39:21):
right me anytime at Tom dotDharma dot pollard@gmail.com.
Remember that which we most wantto find can be discovered in the
place where we least want tolook and the deeper and darker
the well. the brighter the lightwe will discover. Don't curse
the dark cloud. The rain insidemay very well turn your garden
(39:44):
green. Thank you for visitingthe happiness quotient. I will
see you all real soon.
The Wood Brothers (40:07):
happy happy happy
happy happy happy baby got itwords i wrote in the storm the
(41:18):
rock my boat i was stuck in mythroat when i was happy i was
singing next thing i'm thinkingi might as well change mine to
(41:41):
happiness joy happiness happyhappiness got it happy happy
(42:28):
happy happy happy happy
This is the happiness quotient. Have you
(00:11):
heard of a course in happiness?
In this short, colorful guidereplete with gorgeous adventure
photographs, the easy to readguide suggests how to stop
chasing happiness. To unlock themysteries to life's big
questions in an easy to followsimple method of living that
will help you live the life youwere meant to go to patreon.com
(00:33):
slash the happiness quotient.
Don't worry, I don't ask you formoney. On that page, you'll find
a free download of a course inhappiness.
The Wood Brothers (00:48):
All of my wisdom came from the tough dance
today. And they have a learnedthing in happy and appreciative
and happy
Thom Pollard (01:09):
Welcome to the happiness quotient on Thom
Pollard. I love music. I love toplay music. I love to listen to
music. It soothes my soul. Asong or album can fit literally
any mood. It can make me laugh,make me cry, think, see things
from a different light. Musicliterally helps transform the
(01:31):
soul. One of the inspirationsfor this very podcast coming
into being was an interview Iheard with Neil Young, and he
talked about following the paththat he knew he was destined for
it must have resonated with mebecause it kind of felt like me,
except I wasn't trying to becomea professional musician. Neil
(01:52):
talked about following hismusical course. And when In so
doing, one will experiencecollateral damage along the way.
But also in doing it one willcreate many more beautiful
things that they otherwise wouldnever have been able to create.
So in essence, we pay a pricefor following our heart and
(02:13):
passion. But in so doing, weopen the portal to greater Self
Realization, limitlesscreativity, and an understanding
that there is beauty in all ofthe vicissitudes of life, the
good, the bad, the tragic, andthe mysterious. Consider this
episode and inspiration starterkit. We're going to sample short
(02:36):
clips from a handful ofbrilliantly talented and
creative musicians who have beenguests on this podcast, people
who have graced the world withthe beauty of their expression,
and will play a cut of theirmusic after each short clip.
Unknown (02:51):
DANIEL DONATO MUSIC
Thom Pollard (03:00):
Daniel Donato. The cosmic cowboy was a guest in
November 2020, Episode Number61. Absolutely, without a doubt
one of the most empoweringpositive individuals I've had
the pleasure of knowing. Danieltalked about two kinds of regret
in life and his recipe forsuccess. The three P's He is
(03:22):
also a devotee of the GratefulDead and plays a soulful fire on
the mountain.
Let's say that there's somebodylistening to this episode, and
(03:44):
they're inspired and but they'renot really living their true
passion in life. And what wouldyou say to that man or woman or
kid, girl or boy who's like, Iwant to be this but my mom and
dad won't let me or I'm too damnafraid to not be able to pay my
mortgage next moniel nielDAYeah,
Daniel Donato (04:04):
I've experienced the one I've experienced the
former where other people tellme I can't do things. And I
always say, um, you got to trustyourself first, because it's
life as a single player game.
And if you have the idea to dosomething, then it makes sense
for you to do it. There's twokinds of of regrets in life fear
of action, and then fear ofinaction. In most fears. Most
(04:26):
regrets are rendered under thefear of inaction statistically,
they interview you know, a lotof people on their deathbeds of
varying cultures of varyingages, people that are my age
when they die by age 25, andthey have fear of inactions
already. So I think fear ofinaction is something that's why
Jeff Bezos started Amazon. Soit's like, you gotta you got to
(04:47):
take action. I think that's theyounger thing to answer your
first one about somebody who'syounger that is afraid to do
something. Um, be more afraid ofnot doing something than a den
be being afraid of doingsomething and failing. And I
think the second one which Ihaven't yet crossed that bridge
in life, yet it age wise,responsibility wise, but I see
my father crossing it every daywhich is do your work and work
(05:09):
hard, but then take time to playin whatever way that manifests
in your life. That's awesome.
And just staying true to that. Ithink that's the biggest thing
that there's something I say tomyself every day which is
patience, persistence andpositivity. I think um, I've
spoken to a lot of people on mypodcast I've just met a lot of
people through playing musicfrom just so many different
(05:31):
cultures in different businessesthat that have found success and
those really seem to beuniversally obligatory rules
that though I think the worldrewards if you operate within
Tom it's patience persistence,positivity. I think those really
are the signs of a winner
MUSIC (05:50):
FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN standing there
Unknown (06:29):
get up standin
Daniel Donato (06:47):
dragon with matching take some
Unknown (06:56):
cool him.
Daniel Donato (08:00):
He takes
Unknown (08:02):
you stay on
Daniel Donato (08:08):
this live he This is a business
for more than just dreams cometrue. Bye Hold on now caught in
Seth Walker (12:53):
some motion
Unknown (12:56):
to the dog
Daniel Donato (12:58):
the same formula
Seth Walker (12:59):
Steve spent sped to the flow gave
Daniel Donato (13:10):
more that you gave to the thin NaVi campaign
Thom Pollard (14:13):
Oliver Woods wood of the wood brothers exemplifies
the American songwriter one ofthe most prolific and talented
singer songwriters today, all ofher joined us in September of
2020 Episode Number 53 talkedabout the creative process and
songwriting how it happens toyou only when you don't try to
(14:34):
force it to happen. COVID gavehim time to meditate, spend more
time with his family instead oftraveling the world on tour, and
importantly, create write newsongs. He's got a new album
coming out in May and I'll sharethat with you when that time
comes. And on this episode heshared with us tunes that he
just released soul of this townand the battle is over.
Oliver Wood (15:00):
MUSIC i've been k ocked down you and me would just
brei'm so interested in songwriting
(15:25):
and musicians and i read lots ofbiographies and i read
interviews with songwriters andjust how do they know what's
going on any creative personknow how do they process stuff
and it seems such a commonanswer is that they there's a
(15:48):
lot of it that's completelyunknown completely beyond their
control you know so when so andi love hearing stories from like
a paul simon or randy newman orcertain people can really
articulate what it's like jefftweedy has a new book that came
out last year that even for nonmusic people i recommend it's so
(16:11):
fascinating so well articulatedjust how that creative process
works but what i love the mostis the idea that number one
you're you're not in controlyou're in control of the craft
but the inspiration part is notsomething you're in control of
so so the idea then is that youyou are are to discover things
(16:35):
you're just discovering the songyou're like a kid like you're
discovering it you're searchingit you're following it you're
not pushing it you're not incontrol you're not you know you
just the whole idea of nottrying just doing you know and
just seeing where you end up andthe surprise of it all you know
(16:56):
you don't know how this is gonnaturn out foundations of
meditating and of justmindfulness is that is that
things are always changing youknow you're not gonna you're not
in control things are alwayschanging the only thing you're
in control of is knowing thatand accepting that and so anyway
somehow the creative idea ofcreative mindfulness is what i'm
(17:21):
really into right now and ithink that's what happens when
when people collaborate you'rejust making a new recipe you
know and that's what's that'swhat's cool about the wood
brothers is just experimentingand i think we're all of the
same mind like okay that soundslike the that's been done let's
not let's not do that we we makechoices based on that we've
(17:43):
already done that let's trysomething different or that's
the cool thing that only we dolet's do that again yeah it's
just fun should be a fundiscovery childlike process and
that's what it feels likeMUSIC BATTLE IS OVER sing the
(18:11):
song way worth written to beatthe drum you're gonna win the
battle is over to work everybodyplay remember when you jumped to
(18:36):
the eight o'clock Money be amillionaire thoughts can kill
(20:01):
there be no buddy he. Yeah, somany think and even tell him
where to solve the truth keepsus square
Thom Pollard (21:10):
harmonica player Mickey Rafael, my guest in May
2020 on episode 39 has beenWillie Nelson's harmonica player
since 1973. That is a lot ofWillie Nelson shows. Imagine
that. And when they first met,Mickey wasn't really even into
country music. The Tale of howhe met Willie is such a classic
(21:33):
story of how preparation andopportunity and pure chance come
crashing melodically andbeautifully together. I never
grow tired of hearing
Mickey Raphael (21:43):
I get a call one day from Darrell royal, who's
the coach of the University ofTexas football team. The stadium
in Austin is named after him.
And he's a patron of the artsand a serious music fan and
supporter. And he called up,left me a message to my folks
house in Dallas and said, Hey,we're in town for a ballgame. I
think it was Texas, Arkansas,and we're gonna have a little
(22:07):
picking session after the afterthe ballgame. Why don't you come
to my hotel and bring yourharmonica as a piece of my
friends. So I went and I knewnothing about football either or
country music but when I thinkbut I really pride who I had met
because he was a customer of mydad's furniture, furniture
(22:28):
business. But you know what,they pass a guitar around and
Willie was singing. I finallyhad time slips away and
nightlife and I'd recognizethose songs I kind of do that
stuff. And I just kind ofdoodled around on the harmonica,
struggling to play with him. Andhe's afterwards he says, Hey,
you can see over here we'replaying anywhere it comes in.
(22:52):
And a few weeks later, they wereplaying at a junior high
basketball you know, auditorium,basketball court, whatever. The
gym at a junior high south ofDallas, loxahatchee 2030 miles
south of Dallas, and volunteerbenefits for volunteer fire
department. So I went down thereand sat in with the band and it
(23:13):
was totally lost. And I think weplayed for our line four or five
times, and I just because it's agreat song to dance to, and
people would come up and requestsongs. And we'd play these two
step songs, you know, and it waslike being in a, you know, high
school combo. Yeah. And then itwas fun. And afterwards, we went
(23:34):
to a truck stop, which is whatyou do, and one in the morning
breakfast. And I was gettingready to leave. And I thought
well, I'm gonna have one morecup of coffee. And while I
stayed and did that, Williesays, Hey, we're going to New
York and a couple of weeks. Whydon't you go with us, going up
(23:55):
there to play Max's Kansas City,which was kind of a part of the
beginning punch tribes of NewYork, but they were bringing in
country acts like Waylon andWillie. While you can still see
Jim Carroll and the New YorkDolls. Wow. So before that was
like a month or so away, and Iwould go out on weekends and
(24:16):
find out where Willie wasplaying and drive my car again
to some of these little bars andblogs and marketplaces that were
calling because there were some,you know, lots of fights and
sitting with them just to kindof learn the repertoire. I
remember the story goes thatWillie asked Paul, what are we
(24:37):
paying Mickey and Paul, ourdrummer and bandleader who just
recently passed. said, well,we're not paying him anything.
He just come in to sit in andwhen he goes well double his
salary. So I kind of became amember of the band. I mean, I
never officially got hired, butI was never asked to leave Is
(24:57):
that still work and that wasYeah, that was kind of we were
already kind of alarmed by that.
Thom Pollard (26:19):
The Reverend Freak hild had just released his
lbum Bodie sought for blues alessing album that includes a
ouple Grateful Dead covers fromarch 2020, Episode Number 32.
he Reverend had been workinglso on his master's in divinity
rom the Naropa Institute inoulder, Colorado, and he talked
(26:39):
bout mindfulness in thepiritual life.
Reverend Freakchild (26:57):
You feel like there's nothing I can do.
And you know, this new album'scalled the bodhisatta blues and
jack kornfield. For people thatdon't know, he runs this thing
called spirit rock. And he wastalking about being a body soft,
of course, we, we thank thefirst responders and all the
medical people. And we alsothink that people that are
staying home and not gettingother people sick or not
spreading this around, andthough maybe some people think
(27:18):
we're overreacting, but we alsothink people that are taking
care of themselves. Like, if Iwere to be here, just like
you're saying that I choose totake care of myself, I choose to
be on the show with you talkingpositively. How can we make this
thing make some lemonade out ofthese lemons, we got you know,
and, and, you know, take care ofmyself prayer meditation, you
know, eating well, you know, ifI can take care of myself, when
(27:41):
something, you know, happens inmy life, I can better handle it
or make not make it worse, atleast you know, so that can be a
police officer as well. We'rejust taking care of ourselves.
You know, there's a part in theBuddhist scriptures where, you
know, I don't know how muchpeople know about you know, but
uh, he had this a cousin who washis attendant called a Nanda.
And he walked around with himand listened to all of his
(28:01):
teachings. And then afterwards,they wrote them all down,
according to what Nanda said,and so Nanda says, one time, the
Buddha says, You know, I thinkthat this, you know, talking
with people like theconversation we're having, you
know, conversing with friendsand colleagues is half of this
spiritual life. And he's justanother is always the straight
man. It's a Buddha, he is no oneon the Buddha says, conversation
(28:25):
like, this is all of thespiritual life, you know, and so
that's sort of lead in to bedoing interviews in light of
sort of my spiritual journey,you know, and, and it is, I
think, it's an amazing thingwhen, you know, like, the two of
us and if we have other peoplelistening to this is great, you
know, if somebody listens tothis, and this is a benefit to
them, that'll be wonderful. Youknow, that'll be you know, a
(28:46):
dedication of merit there youknow,
MUSIC REV FREAKCHILD I will beshooting mass every day, Jesus
(29:11):
Christ,the Word, the Bible. I guess I
(29:34):
can a shoutout And I'm the Christ.
(30:20):
No no.Damn body with his body.
Class say here and now
Unknown (30:55):
with waves there will be no
Reverend Freakchild (31:06):
class.
We just got
Unknown (31:14):
this job
Reverend Freakchild (31:33):
preaches on the show. commodity.
Unknown (32:10):
Love one another. No.
Thom Pollard (32:15):
Recently in Episode Number 72, the
troubadour himself, Seth Walker,who spoke to me about his book,
your van is on fire. Themiscellaneous meanderings of a
musician speaks passionately,without conceit about the muse.
It's important in these oftenconfusing times. This very
possibly is my favoriteinterview yet. As Seth said
(32:39):
recently about our chat, we wentsomewhere.
Seth Walker (32:45):
Yo, boy. He says, Mom, one. I'll be alright. with
just the sound you're trying toget
Thom Pollard (33:06):
to, you put the thinking in it, and it screws
the whole thing up. It's like it
Seth Walker (33:11):
goes. Yeah, yeah, it's
Unknown (33:12):
like, I want to be enlightened.
Thom Pollard (33:14):
And so there you are in a state of wanting to be
enlightened. It's just it.
Seth Walker (33:19):
There you go. It don't work.
It don't work that way. But it'sso funny, man. Really just
surrender to it. I mean, there'sbeen many times obviously
through the process where I havetried to grab it and steer it
and white knuckle it and it italways comes back to bite me on
(33:39):
the ads, because I becausethat's just not the way the Muse
works. It's not the waycreativity works.
Thom Pollard (33:46):
That man that is just so right on what the Muse
and so what is the Muse? I knowthis, this is like, sometimes
there are no words for it, butwhat is the Muse? What is your
Muse and, man What?
Seth Walker (34:04):
Well, it's definitely something that I
it's, it's, it's something thatI don't own. It's not mine. It's
really, you know, just trying tobe a conduit for it, to to let
to be open enough to let it comethrough. And, you know, and as
(34:27):
you as you as you grow and asyou try and fail and try and you
know that that Muse changes,some for sure, just like
obviously with the book I Ineeded. I've been playing music
My whole life and all sudden theworld's stopped and I'm staring
(34:50):
out the window, asking someserious questions. And, you
know, the Muse just kind ofredirected somehow thankful.
They redirected my spirittowards a new a new form
(35:12):
MUSIC SETH WALKER I know theirthoughts we live with Question
of the Day when and how in theworld but I want you to know I'm
(35:32):
feeling strong and I knowtogether we can carry on because
we got going we got but nownothing's gonna stand in the way
the chain that we have todaytogether to get together
(35:58):
we can think of all the troublethat we've made in our future
seems so unclear we gotta findoh wait a face let's run through
(36:24):
this shadow of doubt we got gonewe got no way to change that we
had to get together we got let'shold on and we'll drive through
(37:17):
shadow golf we got the way thechain we got we got we get
Thom Pollard (38:01):
I leave you with the words. We are here first and
foremost to explore our creativeabilities. to open up to the
truth of who we are, requires usthen to be only concerned about
where we come from within ourown consciousness. The way to
move this world to a place ofpeace is to come from a place of
(38:23):
peace from within yourself. sageadvice
thank you to the woods brothersand their management for the use
of their song happiness Jonesfor our theme song here on the
HQ
The Wood Brothers (38:42):
MUSIC all of y wisdom came from the tough da
ce today and they have a learnedthing
Thom Pollard (38:53):
if you'd like a free downloadable PDF of the
happiness quotients a course inhappiness visit me@patreon.com
slash the happiness quotient formore information about me to
inquire about personal coachingor public speaking in person or
virtually visit eyes openproductions.com
(39:21):
right me anytime at Tom dotDharma dot pollard@gmail.com.
Remember that which we most wantto find can be discovered in the
place where we least want tolook and the deeper and darker
the well. the brighter the lightwe will discover. Don't curse
the dark cloud. The rain insidemay very well turn your garden
(39:44):
green. Thank you for visitingthe happiness quotient. I will
see you all real soon.
The Wood Brothers (40:07):
happy happy happy
happy happy happy baby got itwords i wrote in the storm the
(41:18):
rock my boat i was stuck in mythroat when i was happy i was
singing next thing i'm thinkingi might as well change mine to
(41:41):
happiness joy happiness happyhappiness got it happy happy
(42:28):
happy happy happy happy
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