The Industry People

Tuesday night I went to the Bluebird Cafe for the first time in ages. It was a benefit performance for the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) so they brought out their big guns: Rivers Rutherford, Roxie Dean, Kerry Kurt Phillips, and Bob DiPiero. Actually, the last name, Bob DiPiero is the only name I recognized, but I did recognize a lot of the songs that they played. The four of them sat in a circle and swapped songs and stories. It was a great show.
There are a few things I learned from this evening: First, the people that write the songs (at least these people) are at least 100 times more talented than the country stars that cover them. Second, though I am not at all a fan of commercial country music, I liked (most) everything these people played. Maybe it was the more intimate setting. Maybe it was because it was just a singer and his (or her) guitar. Third, and most important, if I ever got to be an Industry Person, I could be as loud and as obnoxious as I wanted. You see, one of the reasons I like the Bluebird is that they make you shut up and listen to the music. Its actually a point of pride about how militaristic the staff can be with shushing the crowd. Unfortunately, our table was near the bar, and the bar was full of annoyingly loud people for most of the evening. When we asked our waitress if there was anyway that they could be quiet, she responded that they were Industry People, and that there was nothing she could do. Don't want to upset the Industry People, she said, as if she were genuinely afraid, there could be trouble.
At first I was annoyed with the preferential treatment the Industry People received. Wouldn't a legendary place like the Bluebird want to protect its reputation at the expense of a few record company employees? I think the institution would survive. However, annoyance gradually became respect as I began to recognize their power.
So this is my new dream, to be an Industry Person. I think it would open a lot of doors for me.
Like at a crowded restaurant: "Sir, I'm sorry, but all of our tables are full. Everything has been reserved."
"But I'm an Industry Person."
A look of terror slowly fading towards awe: "Please forgive me, I am so sorry. I have a table for you right here. By the way, please be as obnoxious as possible. Nobody will mind since you're with the Industry."
I dare to dream.