Don’t Forget Your Charisma
Since the dawn of musical time we have been blessed to bear witness to some incredible Frontmen, and Front-Ladies. I am talking about those lead singers who drive every emotional word home by stamping it with some truly incredible Rock machismo! Hats off to the truly unique ones that ignite the crowd with their natural ability to engage the entire audience from any distance. I am talking about you Mick Jagger, and you Claudio Sanchez, and you Maria Brink; all of you continue to teach musicians how to truly create a memorable experience, but then again, perhaps you simply scare them away?
As a music journalist and live event photographer, I have more than seen my share of diverse front-peoples; and you know what? Many of these lead singers somehow forgot to bring their charisma. I understand that perhaps it isn’t clearly written in the “live music performance” handbook, but it should be; on a serious note, that book needs to be written asap. Of course not every band or musician needs someone as action-packed as Andrew W.K, as forceful and creepy as Marilyn Manson, or as off-the-hinge as Cedric Bixler-Zavala; but it doesn’t hurt to at least attempt to try something more than sing into a microphone sadly.
History has proven that no one remembers the ones that lack charisma. They do not favor those that try to hide behind their own voice; but for the ones that step out into the light and embrace their inner animal side, those are the ones we emulate in our dreams. How many times do we talk about the greats like Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Hillary Scott, Garth Brooks, and so many more! It’s there for us to see, for the new musicians to study and learn from, and yet it feels, sometimes, like this isn’t something that can be learned; perhaps that is the case more often than not?
The world is filled with great music, bands and musicians are constantly showing us a new way to enjoy music, and for that, I am eternally grateful; but sometimes it can be frustrating to close your eyes and feel moved, only to open them and see a static image of musicians acting like mannequins. Have you ever heard of Clayton Bellamy? I didn’t know anything about him until I found myself at the annual Dauphin, Manitoba, CountryFest; and Clayton Bellamy knows how to bring it! I watched in awe as this charismatic juggernaut jumped and stomped around the stage as if he was attempting to bring the whole venue down. I felt like I was in the presence of one of those rare uber-charismatic entities that will be spoken about for years to come. It was an absolute treat to witness, and judging by the reaction of the crowd, I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.
So why am I writing this? Is it to talk about all the people you are not? To remind you, the fledgling musician that others have gone and left before you, and they are still in our hearts; no, that is not the point at all. I am asking that you do not hold back, that you set that wild artist inside of you free. I am talking to that side of you that holds back out of fear, and hope that you will tell that fear to take a back seat and watch while you show the audience what it means to e memorable!
Don’t ever forget to bring your charisma, every single time.
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