"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Monday, May 7, 2012

Inspiration or Perspiration?


Sorry this post is a bit late getting out. I'm still recovering from a long weekend. On Saturday, along with my daughters and husband, I watched my son graduate from Indiana University "with highest distinction" - summa cum laude. Gotta say, our buttons were bursting.

One of the speakers at the commencement ceremony was Indiana University alumni, Booker T. Jones.


Assembly Hall - Indiana University - Bloomington, Indiana
Indiana Alumni - Booker T. Jones on the big screen.
Photo by Loree Huebner



Booker T. Jones was born November 12, 1944. He is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer, and arranger. Booker T. is best known as the frontman of the band – Booker T. & the M. G.’s. He has 4 Grammy’s to his name.

Inspiration

Booker’s musical talents were apparent at a very early age. He played many different instruments and served as organist in his church. In high school, he was already a semi-professional musician. He co-wrote the popular song, Green Onions, in 1962, when he was teenager and still in high school. That song is still a classic today – 50 years later! If you don’t recognize the song title, or weren’t born yet, take a listen to the youtube at the bottom of this post…I guarantee that you’ve heard this classic hit. At that time, Booker couldn’t read a lick of music, but he could play anything after hearing it—a prodigy.  

Perspiration

At Indiana, studying classical music composition, Booker learned the mechanics and theory of music, perfecting his craft. Working hard and learning music took him in to different places to share his gift – He was a student at IU when, Green Onions, became a huge hit. Wow! During that time, Booker went to school during the week, played with the M.G.’s on the weekends back in Memphis, and wrote some great songs  -  with Eddie Floyd, “I Never Found A Girl – To Love Me Like You Do,” the music to Otis Reddings’s “I Love You More Than Words Can Say,” and, with William Bell, Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign.”

Booker had the talent, but took time to study his craft - or better said in his own words, "I survived because I learned how to learn." It paid off in an awesome music career.

My question for you is: Inspiration or Perspiration? Both?

Me? Perspiration all the way! There is inspiration, but then I must work at it.

Take a listen to the 1962 classic - Green Onions by Booker T. Jones & the M.G.'s


I love the dancing on this video!







Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

26 comments:

Brandi Boddie said...

I have that song on my Ipod. They just don't make music like they used to, lol. Yeah, perspiration for me, too. Maybe 1% inspiration :-)

Melanie N. Brasher said...

Congrats to your son! How exciting! So you were in my neck of the woods this weekend.How fun! Next time you're here, you should look me up. My hubby studies at IU! Go Hoosiers!

Terri Tiffany said...

Perspiration for sure! Congrats to a really smart son! I bet you were sooooo proud!

Cheryl Linn Martin said...

What a fun post, Loree!

And, yes, the dancing was so much fun to watch. Thanks for the nice break from work!!

Oh yes--a TON of perspiration for me, for sure, but I do get inspired when I hear how much kids love mysteries--keeps me writing!

Aloha! --Cheryl

Unknown said...

Fun and congratulations to your son!

I'm with you - I need both inspiration and perspiration. Usually starts with inspiration, but it's got to turn to perspiration if I'm going to keep with it. :)

Victoria Lindstrom said...

Congratulations, Loree! So far I have seen two of my three sons graduate from college - I was a bundle of emotions! I guess I'd go with two parts perspiration, and one part inspiration. The inspiration acts like fuel in my tank!

Jessica R. Patch said...

You can't live in Memphis and not know bout Booker T.! How cool!

Congratulations. I'd be swelled with pride too. What a great accomplishment!

Unknown said...

Congrats to your son! How exciting! I can only imagine how proud you are!

Both for me -- but more perspiration than inspiration. I do get inspired, and it great when I am, but a lot of times, I feel like a college student again -- study, study, study! ;-)

Jayne said...

Love Booker T. Especially Green Onions. And that is the hippest, most happening video I've ever seen!

Congrats to your son, Loree! You should all be busting buttons. And seems! Good excuse, too, to shop for a new wardrobe. ;)

Tracy Krauss said...

I agree that it takes a bit of both. :) Great post

Charlotte Brentwood said...

Without perspiration I'd only have a pile of unfinished ideas... but of course we need the inspiration for a stellar story if we are to inspire others.

I love that quote about learning to learn. We have to check our egos at the door!

Loree Huebner said...

Brandi: I love that song! Booker gave such an inspirational speech to the graduates.

Melanie: I just love going down to B-town. I will have to look you up sometime!

Terri: Perspiration! Thanks for the congrats! We are so proud of our kids. I also have two very smart daughters.

Cheryl: I just thought that dancing was so 60's and groovy! heh heh

Melissa: I agree, I think it does start with inspiration...but to go the distance, we must perspire.

Victoria: Congrats to you also! I think you may have hit on something - the inspiration is like fuel in the tank.

Jessica: It was so cool to see the Booker T. He gave an excellent speech. Thanks for the congrats. We are just thrilled.

Gwen: I get the study study study thing...it never ends.

Jayne: It is a pretty hip video. Thanks for the congrats! I like the new wardrobe idea...haha!

Tracy: It does take a bit of both! Everyone has their own measure...fun to see.

Charlotte: I love Booker's quote too. We must "learn to learn" and never stop.

Thanks for stopping in everyone! I love reading your comments. I didn't get a chance to make the rounds in blogosphere today, but will be blog hopping the rest of the week.

May 8, 2012 12:0

Rhonda Schrock said...

Congratulations to you and your son! What a terribly proud and happy moment. So happy for you, Loree!

Jess said...

Very cool post! I got my Masters at Indiana University :)

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Congratulations to your son--and to you! Awesome. And I love Green Onions. What a great video. The dancing is hilarious.

Beth K. Vogt said...

Congratulations to your son --and to you!
I recognized that song and loved the dancing too -- especially the "bug's eye" view thru the camera. Wow. Fancy.
And I would have to say inspiration is a wonderful thing, but perspiration rules the day.

Loree Huebner said...

Rhonda: Thanks! We're so proud of our kids.

Jess: Awesome, Jess! That's so cool to know about you. Go Hoosiers!

Cynthia: It's such a great video. The dancing really cracks me up.

Beth: Thanks, and you looked so beautiful in your wedding dress on your post. So awesome!

Rhonda, Jess, Cynthia, and Beth, thanks for popping in!

troutbirder said...

Congratulations Mom! My two sons both accomplished the feat and beyond. We too were very proud. As to you question I'm going with inspiration. That give the motivation and direction. Then the other follows. It can also allow you to love your life work.....

Shelley Sly said...

I love that quote about learning how to learn, and I love that he didn't read music, but learned it after hearing it!

Congrats to your son, what an accomplishment!

Stacy Henrie said...

What an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing it.

Sandra Orchard said...

Congrats to the proud parents...and son, too. :)

As for your question...perspiration for me too!

Misha Gerrick said...

Both. I can't do anything without being inspired. But I can't finish anything if I haven't perspired.

;-)

Loree Huebner said...

trout: I believe what you said about it allowing you to love your life work...so true.

Shelley: I loved that quote too. He gave such a powerful speech to the graduates. He inspired me!

Stacy: Glad you enjoyed it.

Sandra: Thanks, Sandra, and thanks for your outside help! Perspiration all the way! haha! We need the industrial strength deodorant!

Misha: Great way to think about it Misha!

trout, Shelley, Stacy, Sandra, and Misha, thanks for stopping by and chiming in!

Unknown said...

Perspiration. I'm a slow writer and have to fight for every word - but it's worth it. :)

Deana said...

I'm with you. Perspiration for sure!

Congrats to you and your son! What an accomplishment:)

Loree Huebner said...

Julie: We certainly work up a sweat as we fight for every word, don't we? Awesome!

Deana: Thanks! Perspiring now as we speak...eww that sounds gross! lol!

Julie and Deana, thanks so much for popping in! Love connecting with you!