RockOm

"The water tastes funny when you're far from your home, but it's only the thirsty, that hunger to roam" [John Prine]

Once upon a time I had the unique and awesome opportunity of swapping songs on guitar while in Negril, Jamaica with Alan Jackson. No, not THE Alan Jackson but a humble Jamaican who also shared the same name and who was so shocked that we would ask him to pull up a chair and share a beer with us. Negril’s own Alan Jackson would play a Bob Marley tune and sing his heart out for us and then I would answer him back with a song by James Taylor or The Eagles. I couldn’t say who was more enthralled - our little group listening to this shy man playing his music on a worn and badly tuned guitar or our new friend, with the sheer astonishment that we would be interested enough in him and his music to ask him over to our table. I’ll have this memory with me forever of our group singing songs on the cliffs of Negril, the light of the full moon shining above, and two cultures coming together through music and song.

If you could choose to escape all that’s familiar and comfortable to explore the music, culture and diversity of a favorite exotic locale- where would that be? Where is that place far from home you’ve always dreamed of visiting, specifically to take in the music? Is it India or Tibet? Or perhaps the Four Corners region of the States to experience Native American music first-hand? What about Jamaica, Ireland, Austria, China or South Africa? The possibilities and places are endless!

We become so accustomed and familiar, complacent with our surroundings that we sometimes forget there’s a whole world of music waiting for us to directly experience. Sure, we can download most any song available on the internet but if you could choose one country or region to take in the music in person, immerse yourself in the tastes and tunes or perhaps even take part in the festivities, where would that be?

Tell Us:

1. Where in the world have you traveled in your journeys and what have you discovered about the amazing ability of music to bridge languages and cultural divides?
2. Where would you like to travel and experience the music and diversity?

By Tom Crenshaw, Vice-President of RockOm.net

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