By Frankie Shayne
Reports from the Scene
There are plenty of opinions in the world these days about what we should say, how we should think, and, if we’re musicians or creative souls, what we should sound like. With so much noise competing for our attention, it’s easy to forget the one voice we should never lose: our own.
Over the weekend, I had the unique opportunity to hear traditional Native American hymns sung in Creek and Cherokee. The experience inspired me in ways I hadn’t expected. There was something powerful about hearing music rooted in tradition, faith, culture, and generations of shared experience. It wasn’t just about the notes or melodies. It was about the history carried within the music and the meaning that lives on when people continue to share it. It reminded me that music doesn’t have to chase trends to matter. Sometimes, the most meaningful music is the kind that remembers where it came from.
That got me thinking about musicians, songwriters, and other creative people trying to find their place in an increasingly noisy world. Don’t let the current landscape dictate your soundscape.
It’s easy to get distracted by what everyone else is doing. We follow trends, compare ourselves to other artists, and wonder whether our work is relevant enough to find an audience. We can spend so much time figuring out what people want to hear that we lose sight of what we have to say.
Creativity shouldn’t be a race to sound alike. Our experiences, struggles, beliefs and memories shape what we create. Nobody else has lived precisely the life we’ve lived or carries exactly the same stories. Why silence that individuality just to become a copy of someone else?
If you’re a musician, remember the first song that made you feel something you couldn’t explain. Remember learning your first chords, writing your first lyrics, or discovering that music could express what ordinary conversation couldn’t. If you’re a songwriter or artist, remember that first spark of inspiration, the idea that kept you awake until you found the right words, or the satisfaction of creating something simply because you needed to bring it into existence.
Remember your passion. Remember what lit the fire in you.
When all else fails, return to your roots.That doesn’t mean refusing to grow or explore new territory. Roots don’t keep a tree from reaching toward the sky. They give it the foundation to stand tall. Our influences may change and our skills may develop, but the reason we create can remain our guide.
Your voice and your message matter because someone else may need to hear them. You may never know who finds comfort in a song you wrote or encouragement in a performance you gave. A lyric might put words to an experience someone has struggled to explain. A melody might remind someone of a loved one. A performance in a small room might become a memory that lasts for years.
I was reminded of this firsthand while sharing my own music over the weekend. I was overwhelmed by the response and kind words I received. It reminded me that putting yourself out there can make a difference, even when you don’t know what to expect. We may never see where our creative efforts land. We simply have to be willing to share them. And that brings me to something we can all do right here in our community.
As we enter the holiday season, there will be wonderful opportunities to experience local musicians in intimate settings. Small shops and neighborhood venues offer a chance to connect with the person behind the music. You might hear the story behind a song, discover an unfamiliar artist, or experience a familiar tune in a new way. When you see a local musician performing around Hutchinson, consider stopping in. Bring a friend, support the business hosting the performance, and stay for a set. Show the artist that somebody is listening. Supporting local music is about more than filling a tip jar or applauding at the end of a song. It’s about building a community where people feel encouraged to share their talents and keep creating things that make life richer.
The world will always have trends to follow and opinions competing for our attention. Beneath all that noise is the sound that belongs to you, the story you need to tell, and the message someone else may be waiting to hear. Don’t lose it trying to keep up with everyone else. Remember your passion. Return to your roots when you need direction. And make room for someone else’s voice, too. You never know what you might hear when you truly listen.
Frankie Shayne is a radio show host, a local singer/songwriter, and an advocate for local artists and musicians. He can be reached at fsp7774@gmail.com.