Well, it depends. Musician? Writer? Artist?

I learned how to play guitar to impress a girlfriend. (No longer have girlfriend. Still play guitar.) In the '60s, that was the way to get chicks--everybody knew that. I'd say I wasn't sure it works, except my current wife is a bluegrass fan and I met her when I was playing in a bluegrass band. So maybe it does.

Also wrote my first song to impress same girlfriend. Was awful (the song, that is). The epitome of talentless, self-centered teen angst--a lot like a lot of pop music you hear on the radio, in other words. I did get better, but it took years. I think it helped to have gone around the block a few times and been hit by oncoming traffic. (Didn't say it was pleasant. Only that it helped.)

The Dodson Drifters happened by accident in the mid-'70s. It's just what happens when you take four guys from completely different backgrounds and stick 'em in a town of 50 people where the power goes out every night in the winter. (Oh, and if one of 'em looks and sounds like Willie Nelson.) What was more suprising than our becoming decent musicians after playing together every night for over a year was that somebody discovered we existed.

Years after the band broke up, I started performing again, mostly because I'd figured out nobody was going to perform the songs I wrote except me. Still miss having a band for company, though.

Bottom line: I'm still learning how to play guitar, still trying to become a better writer, and still trying to learn how to perform. Been a fun ride, though.

Joe

www.soundclick.com/joewrabek
www.soundclick.com/deathgrass
www.soundclick.com/wrabeksworksinprogress
The Writer's Blog: http://nakedspacehamsters.blogspot.com