A Comparison Between NFL Athletes and Musicians Like The Beatles

Last week I heard about Tony Dorsett and the sad news about yet another football pro with degenerative brain disease. It stimulated a whole range of thoughts, one of them being how the arc of a career for an athlete is so different from that of a musician.

For football players, you're fortunate to get fifteen years as a pro, and much less if unfortunate in a variety of ways. It's a rough game, even without the new rules. It takes a toll on the body.

On the other hand, look at a guy like Sir Paul McCartney. Sure, the superstardom of The Beatles lasted about the length of a so-so NFL career, but his life as a musician and performer was still in in its infancy. Dylan is still performing at 72. Leonard Cohen, CSNY, Yes and so many of the stars who filled cars, bars and auditoriums with their music way back when. Even Springsteen is going strong with (from what I hear) 4 hour shows in which he's shakin' and makin' it happen.

What do football players have to look forward to besides a lot of achin'? Especially those who have chewed through all their bacon. According to news reports, 78% of them also go bankrupt within five years of their leaving the game. Considering how much money they make, that is a heckuva lot of wasted capital being siphoned off to who knows where.

This is not to suggest that musicians never go bankrupt. Or never have injuries. Fame itself can be a dangerous experience, verified by the likes of Jim Morrison, Jimi, Janis, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and the short-lived brilliance of Basquiat.

Being a pro football player does seem to put you in a heady space. Cheerleaders and fans rooting for you from adolescence onward. If you're among the best you star in college, get huge signing bonuses and maybe even grab yourself a Super Bowl ring. You live for the moment, and get your heart broken in the moment. You usually have been working out while others were laid back, and you've made a lot of sacrifices for this adulation and the moola that comes with it.

Then it's over. You hang up your spurs. What next? The glory of those times will never return. With all that money you don't know who your real friends are and whose just hanging around to milk you. Your habit of "living large" is the only lifestyle you know. Now what?

Two Minnesota Vikings attended the church we went to when we lived in St. Paul in the early 80's. One of these was Wes Hamilton, starting guard for more than ten years. I asked him what he planned to do when he retired. He said he was going to buy a printing business and provide for his family. That's certainly a contrast from being on the field. I also remember him saying he's had his bell rung a few times. I'm hoping this hasn't taken a toll on him as it has for so many others.

Most guitar players never achieve the dream of record contracts and stardom, but most of the ones I know do keep making music, for the duration of a lifetime.


On the home front, there are a lot of music and performances happening this week here in the Twin Ports. Be sure to pick up a Reader, Transistor or today's Wave section of the DNT. And keep on keepin' on. 

First Signs of Spring: Homegrown and NXN

Killer Dunkshot, student art show at the Tweed Museum, UMD.

Mayor Ness @ Z-geist Atrium

The relationship between media and events is longstanding. What would sportswriters write about if there were no sporting events? What would newscasters talk about if there were no news events? So it is that our 15th annual Homegrown Music Fest is here, and our local Duluth News Tribune is rolling up its proverbial sleeves because this is something to talk about.

Today's Trib has several stories in the Wave alone, and promises coverage throughout the 8-day week that begins with the Mayor's Proclamation at 7 p.m. Sunday at Tycoons. On Tuesday the the 23rd Mayor Ness, on behalf of both Duluth and Superior, demonstrated his bear hug embrace for all things art with the official proclamation of the first annual North X North Music & Arts Experience (NXN). Homegrown will flow through to the beginning of Visual Arts Week which then morphs into a week of ballet, theater, and performance art, carrying us on through a week of Dylan Fest, then conveying us to downtown theaters where we can take our seats in front of large screens for the May-end DuSu Film Festival.

It all begins with Homegrown. 180 bands in venues everywhere, along with the Homegrown Music Video Festival, Homegrown Photo Show and the Homegrown Poetry Showcase. There will be events at all hours and many unannounced pop-up events that you'll only learn about through Twitter and other social media. I've already been invited to so many things that I can't see straight.

On Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4, there will be a trolley shuttle to help carry you up and down Superior Street, suitably named A Streetcar to Desire. For the most complete schedule and updates you should bookmark duluthhomegrown.com.

FWIW you will need tickets to get into events, instructions at the website. $25 will get you the full 8-day pass that includes Trampled By Turtles on Tuesday at the Clyde. I was at Beaners the other day and Jason Wusson there said he was excited to be on of the opening acts for that big night of music. 

Jack Frost is reluctantly relinquishing his influence on our lives this weekend, so we can all start singing again here in the North Country. No, actually that isn't right. Music is what gets us through the winter. We never stop singing, do we?

Enjoy the shows!

The arts community appreciates the support shown by local officials.

Handbills and posters for upcoming events were shared Tuesday evening.

Big thanks to Twin Ports Arts Align for their hard work behind the scenes.

These kinds of cultural experiences are a true gift to the community.

23rd Annual Gallery Hop, Riversmith and More

A new sculpture by Eric Dubnicka

Let's pretend that it didn't snow last night and that it's not going to snow some more today because tonight I'd like to be able to attend Adu Gindy and Eric Dubnicka's art opening, Dancing in the End Zone. The exhibit will be at Lizzard's Art Gallery & Framing on Superior Street here in Duluth. In the event that you can't make it to the opening, you'll be able to see the work Saturday if you jump aboard the 23rd annual Earth Day Gallery Hop.

The gallery hop has a bit of everything for everyone, including a shuttle so you don't have to think about parking in the various locations. Eleven galleries are involved from one end of town to the other, or rather, from the Duluth Art Institute to the Tweed up at UMD and all points in between. You can catch the full list
in today's Wave (DNT).

Saturday evening there's one more opening to catch, this one at Adeline's Hair Salon, 1132 E 9th St, Duluth, MN 55805.  Adeline herself is an artist and I was able to catch her first event when the salon had its opening there on the East Hillside. This Saturday evening Bridget Riversmith will be showing some of her new work. Riversmith's piece at last year's Steampunk Gala struck me as nothing short of incredible. So naturally, I will do my utmost to make it to Adeline's. The opening is from 7-9 p.m.  You can catch more of her art and creative spirit at RedRabbitRiversmith.com.

And finally, next Tuesday is the launch party and reception for the North x North Music and Arts Experience. NxN is the newly minted name for May arts month here in the Twin Ports. There is so much happening in May that it might do you well to show up even if it's only to grab a schedule of upcoming events. The party and reception will begin at 5:30 in the Zeitgeist Atrium.

Meantime, don't miss the train. It's going to be a very special ride.

Dancing in the End Zone, tonight at Lizzard's.