I’ve had a fun day going down memory lane… watching videos on Youtube and reliving a lot of things… and here’s what I’ve come up with…
I’ve actually enjoyed reading extremely negative comments on some of the videos… because guess what… some of them are right… sometimes I haven’t been up to the grade… and some of those times it’s been because I let my guard down… isn’t that always the case? That’s being responsible… owning what is… there were just several times, and still are, where I’m not cutting it…
But I’ve learned that I must keep working at it… the chances, the *odds* of having more good days than bad days go up with practice, not letting my guard down… soldiering on through the scary times and things…
And I’ve never been one to go listen to myself, specifically the stuff that puts me in the best light, and pat myself on the back… I choose to look at the balance… and realize that there have been times I could have been much better with the proper care and feeding of my instrument(s).
That’s where I am now, approaching 50 years old. I got a kick out of reading posts today where people were saying that I had no business stepping up to a microphone and before anybody feels they need to come to my defense, again, it’s an inside job… the proof is in the pudding… it’s all out there for public consumption… frankly, there were times I might not have had any business stepping up to a microphone… and I’d use the excuse most do… age… range changing, dry weather and a city that tears singers up, Nashville… funny little secret there! HORRIBLE place for singers to live because of the pollen and the weather…
I thought over the last couple years that I was really starting to go downhill vocally… it was getting harder… and you know what I did? Not that I’m *THERE* yet, and the truth is we never WILL be *there*… but we’re either moving forward, or backward… no such thing as standing still…
I decided to leave no stone unturned… got a great vocal coach… just to see… thank heavens there isn’t any real damage done… just a bunch of bad habits that naturally occur over time… 26 years of singing every summer, and then some… aging… etc.
Went to an ENT in Nashville that specialize in vocals… same conclusion… no damage… it’s called, GET BACK TO WORK!!!! Study… practice… PAY ATTENTION… and just *see*. Maybe it is the downward slide… but at least “TAKE A LOOK, FIND OUT”. That’s Jim Rohn talking too… stop being ignorant Jason…
And you know what I found? Like I said, I AM older… I have lost a bit, as we all do, but I’ve found there is a lot more there than I had thought and I’m working at bringing out all I can. And it’s not so much the results… it is what it is… but it’s the spirit… stop worrying so much about what people think, or say… WE all know… ask the important questions… “Are you DOING ENOUGH? Have you left no stone unturned?”
If the answer is *YES* to any of that… how could I live with myself in the future? Of having had the chances… and just got lazy… like so many do… again, forgetting the results… I LOVE THE JOURNEY… because I’m finding there is so much more… that’s left! And that started with having the courage to ask the tough questions…
In summary, going through the videos again today, it took me all the way back to the beginning… when I walked into the studio to record Chicago 18 knowing that David Foster didn’t think I was the guy… and he had good reason to… I’ll never fault him for that… again, it was MY FAULT for letting bad vocals get to him as the first examples of the guy who was replacing Peter Cetera.
And I’d heard that David was brutal… brutal on singers… and I was already concerned that he didn’t really want me there… not only was he brutal on singers, he was going to be particularly brutal… and then an amazing thing happened… we started the first track I sang, which luckily was the one I wrote so I knew it well! And there I was, WAY out of my comfort zone, until, they pressed record… and some still to this day don’t like my voice, think I have no business walking up to a microphone, but if that were the case, I wouldn’t be writing this today, from Canada, still on tour with Chicago…
And I listened to the song that started it all for me… and took it in today… I tried to remove myself from being the singer… from being a kid getting his shot… but listening from the perspective of whomever walked to the microphone to sing on this track David Foster had so brilliantly produced… to see if it passed the test… and I smiled… not from a place of ego, but a place that gave me permission… to admit it… I’m a singer…
And the responsible part of me now can look at when I’m not taking care of things, I deserve the heat… so there it is… it’s a choice… NEVER rest on the laurels… I’ve done that… and it’s out there for consumption… but no more… Nope… it’s a responsibility… it’s not about winning once, it’s about keeping it going… and I’m finding it doesn’t take as much as we think… it just takes something… and consistent… daily… as Tony Bennett said to me, “It doesn’t take much… 15 minutes a day.”
Don’t I owe that to the people who come and hear us? To myself? Of course I do. And I must say, I never thought I was short changing anybody, or myself, along the way… I always felt I was doing my best… it’s just that when I look back now I realize I/we can ALWAYS do better. As Jim Rohn asks, “If you COULD do better, SHOULDN’T you?” GREAT question.
So REALLY in summary, I’m going to leave you with the song I heard today that made me realize, “Don’t twist yourself into a pretzel mentally, Jason. Remember this… listen to it… this is the truth… this is a piece of history… this is what you’re CAPABLE of… don’t ever forget that…” I think our society is so beat up with feeling like we’re “Past It”. “The glory days are way past us”
Sure, it’s important to be realistic that we’re not going to be back and be the quarterback throwing the winning touchdown in high school… or the prom queen… or any of that kind of stuff… but this song reminds me, again, of what I’m capable of… there is no mistaking that… it happened… and it was authentic… remember that, Jason.
So I urge ANYONE who thinks they’re past it… that life is over… to find that bit of truth from the past… find who we really are deep down in there… and dust it off… let’s not worry about trying to get back there, overnight… but remember what our nature is… where we came from… and start nurturing it again… you’ll be amazed… it happens quickly… or, the converse happens… it goes the opposite way.
I want to hear from people who go back to finding their goodness and nurturing it. It’s AMAZING when life turns around… some may think because of what I do, the life I’ve lived, that I can’t relate… well, I hope any of this post sheds light on it. I’m just the same… have been given opportunities, haven’t taken full advantage of them, let life get the best of me, at times, but luckily, I started running with good folks who pointed me in the right direction… AWAY from the negative websites, from poisonous people… not that I avoid that stuff…it’s balances… I must face both, good and bad to determine where I *choose* to go… but I don’t seek out the negative… done that too long… and certain parts of our world keep going downward in that mentality.
And don’t try to tell me it’s important. Cynicism? Sorry, ZERO benefit in my life… I’ve just seen too many examples of lives completely changing focusing and associating on what’s good rather than what’s bad.
No, today was a GREAT trip down memory lane on Youtube for some perspective… to see the truth… and to own it… both sides… the good and the bad… and as I poked around getting a kick out of hearing how *horrible* I am, I remembered something Bobby Kimball said to me once… about someone who was beating him up online… and I smiled imagining telling some of these folks who were hammering, especially the ones who say they are in the music business, are qualified to give their opinion… well, I clicked on their profiles… there were a couple today, just to see… right? Maybe they have the goods! I’m not going to argue with them that some of what I’ve done is not very good… and if they can show me a better way… I’m all ears! HELP ME! Right? Not battle them telling them they’re wrong… but SHOW ME!
Guess what? Not one note… so I still put it out there that if anybody wants to show me a better way, I’m all ears!
And in the meantime, I’m going to listen to this song one more time to remember a piece of history that will never change… It may not be for everybody but for me, I can look myself in the mirror and remember what we did… and it motivates me because I believe there’s a lot more of that in me… as long as I work for it… no free ride… no entitlement… gotta work for it… but that glimmer of hope… it comes back when I listen to the beginning…
Again, I encourage anybody who has lost their way… dust off the memories of what we’re capable of, and build on that… we only have one go around in this thing called life… we don’t want to get to the end of it realizing we lived only 1/10 of it, right? I don’t care who you are, I KNOW nobody wants to be there…
Have a GREAT night everybody… I’m enjoying the night off! See those of you tomorrow night in Ottawa! Jason
Hey Jason,
been a few years since we last corresponded, but I really appreciate your transparency and willingness to put it all out there. I’ve been in the music business for 20 years now. I was 12 years old when I first heard this song. For some reason this song got down in my core and I can honestly say I have probably listened to this song more than any other song in my 36 years. And that’s coming from a huge Cetera fan. I don’t know why exactly, maybe the combination of unbelievable production, world class musicians, and ridiculous vocals…who knows? What I do know is you left an indelible mark in the fabric of pop music with your performance on this song and many others, not to mention a permanent place on the playlist of my life. You’ve inspired me and many others who are continually working to better our craft. Thanks again!
Thanks Jason for a great blog post! By sharing your feelings,you encourage and inspire others. And Lord knows we all need support and encouragement! There’s way too many poisonous people out there. I’m happy to say that most of them are out of my life now. And they think I’M the bad guy for no longer tolerating their negative remarks! Here’s to a year of enlightenment, motivation, hope and baby steps to success. Step by step, lilly pad, by lily pad….
I was at the concert in Montreal. Your voice is still amazing.
You are not Peter Cetera, you are Jason and the Chicago fans really enjoy your signing, otherwise you would have been gone long time ago. Can’t wait to hear you again this Sunday.
Thanks for sharing your heart Jason! It is really encouraging to read your journey. I think what I have just read is a man who is gaining wisdom, much of which only comes with age (oops, sorry!!) but also by going through those hard times, taking those knocks and instead of being knocked down, taking them, using them and then raising up even stronger than before! Your post was very encouraging to never give up! Do the hard work and it will be very beneficial in the long run!
Being just over 50 I can relate. And I’ve been a Chicago fan forever, long before you joined. I’ve heard you in concert many, many times. Some times are better than others. Sometimes great, sometimes not so much. But bad?!? Never. You want to hear bad I can record myself. Even singing what I sound the best at isn’t a pleasing sound to anyone other than wife. Lol. Keep up the great work.
funny how inner reflection comes to us and how the revelation forces ourselves to look inward and outward, how sometimes we are just so caught up in things we are taped up in a box and you don’t remember how you got there. For you, my dear friend is simply, Beautifully Broken but only for a moment… ♥
It is so inspirational to hear someone like you who has been so successful opening up to others. You are so right about reaching our full potential in whatever we do and having no regrets, no matter what our role in life. It has been amazing how you have transformed the sound of the band in such a positive way. I always look forward to hearing the newer songs played at the concerts because it’s a different and unique sound with you as lead from Chicago18 on. You brought a new life into the band. May you have a long career and thank you for the gift of your talent.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your words, and your honesty.
I had a stroke 10 months ago. It was an aneurysm in the lower half of my brain that burst. It took my memory away for about 3 weeks. I spent the next 2 months listening to doctors tell me that I would have to stop playing my French horn.
I started listening to recordings I’d made (multitrack) of horn choirs that were written specifically for me by a friend in Arizona. I heard all my mistakes and all the good stuff going on in them too. I found that I had a need to play more and better. I had to get back to it.
I started playing again and took it really slow, stopping if it hurt at all in my head. Slowly over the past year I’ve built my range back up to where it was before, only better now that I’ve learned how to play without much pressure.
I’m stronger than I was, and weaker in other ways… but I’m not going to stop playing my horn. I can’t. The very idea of not playing is far worse on me than anything else. I’m back with my symphony, my brass quintet, the community band, and my church group and thankful every day for the opportunity to play. It is such a privilege and gift to be able to play.
When I listen to you over the years, I always hear that same kind of thankfulness in your voice and your bass. And, I hear so much improvement over where you started. You were great back then too, but today you are so much more of a musician. Keep going and don’t ever let adversity pull you down. It will strengthen you if you work with it. Your music will always bless you and inspire your listeners.
You have a great insight of your life, so honest and encouraging. Since you joined Chicago, as a young man to mature adult, I watched how you flourished and accomplished a great deal with your career. Your music and voice inspired millions of people around the world. Thank you for all your songs and music that I can see on tube and other videos on Facebook. I am one of your shakeology member who had spinal surgery & bilateral total knee replacement in 2010 & now facing another 9 hr spinal surgery on this Valentine Day. I will be listening to your song while I will be recovering.
Hello Jason! I loved what you wrote here cause it reminded me of a few things for instance, when you first joined Chicago, I followed you immediately as a big fan and you may think this is soooo silly but what I noticed about you right away when performing, is how you would be a few feet away from the stand up microphone then when it was time for you to sing, you approached that microphone like you owned it and you did and you still do, -you came off to me as a confident individual who had a deep passion for his vocals and playing your bass. I still feel that way. That always stood out to me and I wasn’t wrong about you. Now after meeting you and knowing the great discussions we’ve had and what we’ve experienced, I feel like we’ve learned how to be a grown up-if that makes sense. Now we know if something no matter what it is, is important enough to us and we stay focused and are diligent enough, we have the power within us to change. You’ve taught me to ask myself the right questions, instead of “Why can’t I get it” to “What can I do to improve” say this sounds like a testimonial right:) haaaaaa well I guess it is. I know as being part of your fan, friend team, that I will always support you whether it be watching you on stage on all your good nights or maybe a not feeling so good night although I don’t have any memories of those, and if there are? so what, you always show up and give 150 percent.We all have our moments in our jobs.. or whether you’re changing your work out program or ranting, I just know I want to continue to live my best life with you there and knowing you’re out there giving it your best damn shot, just really keeping the Scheffy spirit in all of us alive always.
never forget me! roseanna
Jason, all I can say right now is, what I heard Randy Pausch say in his video ‘The Last Lecture’ and which is and has been of great influence in my life since then: ““Your critics are the ones telling you they still love you and care. Worry when you do something badly and nobody bothers to tell you.”
― Randy Pausch -
I started playing classical piano when I was 4. Started touring the world when I was 18. Played til I was 25…and then quit for 18 years…because of stage fright. Now? 13 summers of touring later, gone all over the world…My lesson?
Don’t let your fears overcome you. Get out there and use the talent that God gave you..cause you have a niche that noone else is filling.. Seen you every single summer some place in the US. Keept it going.
Bigbro!
(With that, I’ve said it all)
Thanks for opening your life, your vulnerabilities, your coping strategies, your learnings, and sharing them with us. My life is richer for knowing positive and forward-moving individuals like you. It’s CRAZY how much the little things you’ve said over the years (whether quoted from others or Scheffy originals)stick with me and give me energy and strength to always move AHEAD in the quest for an enriched and fulfilled life. Discerning among all those things life throws at us, to be selective and chose what will “get me there” — to the next level, to self betterment, to do the things that will leave a positive legacy.
Muchas gracias for that friendship you so genuinely give… to those who know you and those who don’t (yet know you). In the end, our lives are more enriched for having you (near or far) in our lives.
Muak!
Yo Schistah Jax!
Hi Jason,
“Find who we really are way down in there… and dust it off”.
Well said, Love it!
Hey Jason,
Great post. When I went to see you in London a few years back I was worried….what if they are not up to par? But it was a pure delight listening to you sing.
A few weeks ago I listened to your session is Australia on the Chicago website. Wondering what I was going to hear, I was greeted with what sounded like someone who has worked hard to return to a true form. No falsetto, no dropping off notes early, no leaving notes out! Not only do you look great with your workout efforts, you have a voice that matches in every way. I don’t mean to sound cheesy, but I’m just so pleased for you. You’ve never sounded better!
J.
Jason, Great transparent post! Most bands that have been around as long as Chicago are long gone because they can no longer cut it. The proof is in the attnedance and you’re still packing them in. For what it’s worth, I’ve watched Lee improve over the years because of his dedication to work on his craft. It always shows!
While we can always learn from our critics, and it is crucial that we work harder as we get older, remember, if the critics could do what they’re criticizing, they’d be doing it.
Turns out you’re human after all,
John from Seattle
PS. Now let’s get the boys back in the studio for some new tunes.
Jason.
Keep up the good work. Saw you in Atlantic City and you and the band were great……..Bravo.
Three months after the fact, but I am very appreciative of your honesty about how you deal with postitives and negatives….a very healthy approach. I have now seen Chicago about 40 times and now about half of those have been with you as a member. I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed with a Chicago concert…even though some are always going to be better than others. My wife and I are adding 2 more to the list this summer…in Council Bluffs, IA and Kansas City.
Personally, I have always been happy with the work you’ve done…you are a great singer and musician. From your solo work on “Chauncey” through all your great tunes with Chicago.
When it comes to you guys, I’m a bit selfish, hoping that every year there is a Chicago concert in my future.
Keep up the good work….and I’m looking forward to any music you are associated with, solo, Chicago-wise or collaborations….which reminds me….there was a song that you and Robert had recorded which was on your website some three or four years ago….don’t remember the title…but it was killer and I think I listened to it practically every day you had it up on your website. Will that ever make to a Chicago or solo release????
Good luck and see you this summer!!
Jason, I just saw you and the guys in Baltimore and you are still bringing it. I sing in an a cappella group (we do our own arranging and include Just You n Me and Saturday in our repertoire)and another group member (1st tenor) came with me.
We both were both remarking after the show how well your high notes rang out. Kept it up for the full 2 hours, too.
Solid bass playing, as always, but it’s a true pleasure to hear you and Bobby Lamm still singing strong.
Hi Jason,
I caught you guys in Niagara Falls NY on May 5. Great show! It was my 5th Chicago concert and by far, this was the best vocal performance you guys have had! The horns were crisp as they usually are, but you guys were so on key vocally! Also love the new guy Lou. It’s like he’s channelling Terry Kath! I was pleasantly surprised to hear you guys perform Street Player… I’ve never heard that song live before so it was great to hear you on leads.
My only bit of feedback on the show was you didn’t do anything past Chicago 17. I know everyone wants to hear the classics (and boy did you deliver) but the stuff from Chicago 18, 19 and 21 and even the newer stuff from XXX and Sysiphus is really underrated! I would love to hear you perform Bigger than Elvis live. You guys have a very loyal following so don’t be afraid to mix up the set list with a couple of newer tracks once in awhile. We won’t mind!
So thanks to you and the fellas for continuing to tour… it really is a great experience to see you guys live. And thanks for tossing me a pick when I called out for it! Great souvenir!
See you guys next time you’re on the road!
Dan in Toronto