June 03, 2005
MOM AND DAD GROW UP
time for an update on jackal (since he NEVER posts).
clean and sober 3 YEARS (!!!) . those exclamation points are a poor substitute for the pages and pages i could write about his journey and the pride and exhilaration we in our entire family feel for jax. he is an unbelievable young man. unbelievable. 19 years old. going on 35.
since he last wrote in his blog, he and jessica decided to split (amicably). for some reason (probably a LOT of reasons), he has grown and changed tremendously in 2005. he took a couple classes at our local community college to prepare him for going into a music production program at a different local community college. we and he felt he needed to glide into a full-time school atmosphere by “warming up” as we were a little “loose” (only in terms of structure) in our approach here at the “eric clapton school of fine arts” (what we called our home school).
he started out HATING it. ended up thinking it wasn’t so bad. however. HOWEVER.
a couple of weeks ago, he told us that he had decided that he was NOT going to go to school. at least not right away. he wanted to pursue his dream of being a musician. we said, “cool.”
trust me – we haven’t come to this zen state of mind about this topic easily. we’ve been led (kicking and screaming – in our heads, mind you) to this by an understanding and patient jax. he’s been talking about this for years. and we resisted. begged him to get a background in something, ANYTHING, “just in case.” and so, he agreed. and we kept thinking. who the hell do we think we are to say to him (not literally, of course – give us some credit), “HELL NO, YOU MAY NOT FOLLOW YOUR DREAM. WE OWN YOU. YOU’RE GONNA MAKE US LOOK LIKE BAD PARENTS.”
pffft. double pffft. the kid is freaking AWESOME on guitar. freaking AWESOME. and like i ever cared about what the abercrombie-and-fitch crowd was saying anyway. hisssss.
so ... we support this young man 100 percent.
right now, he’s working with a buddy of his on his own cd, which we’ll send around in the hopes of generating some interest. we have no clue what we’ll do, but we’ll work it out. what we’ve heard is great. GREAT. it’s blues. very stevie ray vaughan-ish. and he’s already got at least one gig (several shows a month) from it.
and. AND. AND. right this SECOND, he’s out looking for an apartment to share with a good buddy of his (a girl i’ve known – and adored – since before she was born, since she’s my best friend’s daughter). kimi is 25, a college grad, and very, very, VERY cool. jax will have to find a job RIGHT NOW (he’s got a lot of people he can work for in a minute if nothing pans out right away). they called me a couple hours ago. found a place that they LOVE. so i guess we’ll be shelling out some green for him to start him out.
do you think i should be freaking out about all this? cuz i’m not. i’m proud and thrilled and excited. not worried one bit.
go for it, dude. we adore you and will ALWAYS be here for you.
Made me cry. :-)
Posted by: lucy at June 4, 2005 12:32 AMJackson ROCKS and I vote that he follow his very personalized path into the future. I'm not a big believer that college paves any magical path to success. I eventually went to college after high school. It was about 4 years later. I got a two year degree in something and haven't ever used it but I *AM* successful professionally and I have know that because not only do I make a really nice income I absolutely LOVE what I do for a living.
What's the saying...do what you love and the money will follow.
GO JACKSON GO! I'm so excited for him!! :)
Posted by: KathyHowe at June 4, 2005 07:31 AMSounds perfect for him.
That said, I'm skeered to pieces about my own teen. She's quite unmotivated but she's also quite scared of the future (and who isn't???) and the idea of college or work or what plans to make. And I don't have the foggiest how to help in this area other than "Keep your options open". Blah.
Posted by: Keri at June 4, 2005 08:02 AMI expect it's got something to do with the guitar never leaving his side! He should be proud to have you as parents.
I think it's really strange. christian has been phoning this week, should he take the job with lots of money or stay doing what he really loves? I told him to do what HE wants to do, I'd hate him to look back on his life and say 'if only.....'
Wish Jackson lots of luck from us and we expect free tickets when he does his european tour!
Posted by: Anji at June 5, 2005 03:27 AMWould there be any way you could get one of the CD's into my hands? I will pay for all associated costs. I have a few people in the area(well near my area) I could have hear it. It's just Indianapolis but you never know.
Anyway I love the blues and some of the blues clubs around here have some fairly influential owners and there is one station here that has a radio show where you can send in a demo.
All I would need is the cd and some contact info and a short bio. Anyway it never hurts to spread out your demo's. If you don't like the idea that is cool too, just a huge music fan who would love to help out! :-)
Made me all teary on a Sunday morning. 3 years...that gave me chills!
You two are such awesome parents. I really have to meet you some time!
Posted by: moonandsun03 at June 5, 2005 12:51 PMI so get to say I when he is famous... "You know, I sat at graduation party once and listen to him fiddle around with his music... and it was AMAZING!"
Six degrees from famous, I will be!! ;^)
-d
Posted by: -d at June 5, 2005 11:48 PMDAMN I'm tired... did you see the errors in those sentences... anyway Love Jax!
-d
The music biz is ruthless, but I am sure Jax is well aware of how hard it truly is. He has great support and love, so he is already miles ahead of the competition.
Hang tough, Jax! ( and Bill and Stacey!)
Posted by: Cowtown Pattie at June 5, 2005 11:55 PMOMG!!!
I'm listening to what you sent me! Send me a CD - I'll pay for it - tell me what I owe!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS AWESOME!! HOLY SHIT!
Posted by: KathyHowe at June 6, 2005 03:51 PM