I had this idea when I was posting YouTube videos on Facebook. Every song brought me back somewhere. Different stages, times, events, people in my life.
Songs have that power. To transport you back to whatever or whomever. Probably only the sense of smell is a more powerful memory prompter.
So, here is my first entry. Scorpions, “Make it Real”
I was traveling across the Arizona desert, almost to my destination of Roswell, NM when someone on the bus asked me if I wanted to trade. My Queen, “News of the World” cassette for his Scorpions, “Animal Magnetism” cassette. I am still fully convinced I got the better end of that deal!
I started listening and I heard “Make it Real” and it really spoke to my heart. See, I had left Oregon with only the possessions I could carry to pursue a dream of broadcasting. I was gonna make it real for reals! I had taken my last check, sold a typewriter my Mom had given me and bought a one way ticket to Roswell, NM.
Just a week before my friend and I were fishing. He was gonna go to Roswell and wanted to know if I wanted to go. I had never heard of it. No one had as far as I knew! It was before the alien stuff was widely known. I asked him how big it was and if they had any radio and TV stations. 50,000 people and yes, both radio and TV. I was in!
At the time I was a part time dishwasher barely making my rent. A promising student in school, I smoked too much pot to realize that I could actually go to college. I did know, however, that I could start a radio and TV career with a little talent in a small market. And that is what I aimed to do.
Off on an adventure, as 21 year olds are prone to do. It worked out just as planned. However, with all plans, it didn’t look or unfold the way I pictured it. So many life lessons along the way. The subject of so many other songs.
I did get a job a few months later as a part time DJ. That led to a full time gig and eventually, Music Director. Then into TV and finally a weatherman.
Now I am faced again with a dream, or a hint of one. Will I sell out and chase it like I did way back in 1984? It feels different. I have a car payment and debt and I’m old. Then there is the dream part. What is it I want to do when I grow up since I have already reached those goals of DJ and Weatherman?
I’m gonna play the song again and see if the song helps me to find the courage to really be what I think God wants me to be. I made it real once, maybe God wants to make it real in my life again!