Music: An interview with Musical Artist and Writer – Sid Lewis
I’m here today with a musician and friend, Sid Lewis, who I met while attending a music camp last October. I was super excited that Sid agreed to this interview because he’s one of the most talented and interesting people I’ve met. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor his talents then by asking Sid to tell all. Let’s get started:
Q: You’re a musician, a performer and a man of many talents as I’ve already put you on the spot. How about you give us a synopsis of how you became a musician and a bit about the kind of music you love:
A: Well I really owe it to my parents for providing an encouraging environment, which allowed me to follow my natural creative interests, mainly music -actually art too, but my younger brother was always a better artist than me, so I just went with music. I did have a phase of abstract painting as a teen, as well as drawing labyrinths. But that’s to be expected when you spend your childhood on a bus!
I was definitely self-taught. My parents got me banjo lessons when I was 14 or so, with a man named Frank King in Sacramento CA, but that didn’t last long. I wanted to learn bluegrass music and Frank was into classical and ragtime banjo. So I pretty much learned from books we ordered from the legendary Elderly Instruments catalogue, and the records we would take home from the local library. I must have driven my poor mother mad by playing them at 33 RPM to learn all the banjo licks!
Q: What musical genre is your favorite?
A: Hmmm, that’s kind of like asking what age of life was your favorite. I think all musicians go through musical stages, some stick and some don’t. I started with folk music, Pete Seeger being one of my first influences, and in fact I cut my teeth in his banjo book. Then I got into rock and country as a teen, and then went crazy over jazz. The complexity and hipness of bebop blew me away. Probably my most interesting musical phase was when I became obsessed with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, the 17th century baroque composer. I even went so far as transcribing a bunch of his compositions for the banjo, but most of them were too difficult to play, so I eventually moved on. The latest phase was a Bela Fleck phase, and now I’m kinda getting back into roots music, and enjoying traditional bluegrass with my current band the Low Flying Birds.
Q: What a cool name for a band – but right now, my curiosity has me wondering about what music you listen to when you’re driving on a road trip?
A: Well, this ties into my theory that different kinds of music are good for different kinds of activates. For instance, if I’m attempting to work out, it’s all about rock and roll! For homework or reading, I find classical music to be helpful. Driving I would think of as a sort of “trancey” thing, where you kind of zone out. So I tend to like bluegrass- jam bands like Yonder Mountain or Leftover Salmon when I’m on the road. Or even some good house music!
Q: As a music performer, you have some original music and original lyrics – what would you say is the inspiration for them?
A: Well, I consider myself a songwriter, so I do try to sneak my material into my various projects. As far as what inspires a composition, well that is a question of vast proportion. If we are talking specifically about songwriting, then it usually comes from a life experience that was traumatic enough to want to write about it! I’m being facetious of course, there are also songs that come from happy things, but it seems by far the majority of lyrics are penned from woe. Oh well such is the artists life!
Since I actually teach the art of songwriting I have many thoughts on this process, but I think the best way to look at it is to see where a song springs from. In my songwriting course I call these “song sprouts”, and a good songwriter will learn to recognize and nurture them. I teach that there are three types of Song Sprouts: Lyrical, Melodic, and Instrumental. In other words, your inspiration for a song may start with some words, or a melody stuck in your head, or something you came up with on your instrument, whichever instrument that may be. After that it’s up to you to be a responsible song gardener and finish growing them…
Q: Well, since I met you at a music camp, I’m privy to another corner of your professional life. Could you tell us something about your music school?
A: Well, I am fortunate to have been successful teaching music, and I think a lot of it is simply because I try not to let the academic side of things get in the way of the natural joy and excitement music brings. From the very get go I decided to teach music in a way that was based on interaction and self exploration, because that’s how I learned. Eventually that evolved into my Jamming 101 seminar, where I essentially teach people how to be better musicians through the process of playing with others, or “jamming”. All this time I was doing private music lessons, but that was evolving as well.
About six years ago or so I got so many students that I was overwhelmed, so I decided to open my own music school. I had always enjoyed working with kids and most of my private students were into rock and roll, so I went that direction and called it the “Chico School of Rock.” You can read more about the school on my website and the school’s facebook.
We now have over 100 kids in attendance and I employ three other teachers besides myself. In truth, if someone would have told me early about what it would mean to own and operate a business, I would have ran screaming in the opposite direction. But all headaches aside, it allows me to share music with many more people then I could by myself, and so I keep slogging onward.
In recent years I have been doing more work with the special needs population, in particular children who are on the “autism spectrum”. I now teach music to half a dozen of these kids, and it is an amazing journey. I am finding that music is a magical bridge into their world, and I am able to slowly improve their focus and communication skills through musical exercises. I have recently been asked to teach music at a renowned autism camp this July working with professionals on the cutting edge of special needs therapy.
(for more information on this camp see be sure to check Sid’s Facebook for announcements)
Q: The world of professional musicians and the industry itself has always fascinated me. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a professional musician?
A: Ha! Well, if I am going to be brutally honest, “professional music” is a field fraught with challenges. I think the combination of a general lack of appreciation for music in our society, coupled with a ton of competition, all of which make it difficult to make money at it. One has to possess certain qualities to rise above the horde, among them a ferocious tenacity. Everyone has to find what works for them, so I’ve discovered it helps to have a “niche”, something that you’re good at and enjoy, that is a little different than the rest.
Even so, unfortunately its all business after that. It’s been said that if you want to make it in the music business, you need to realize that the music has nothing to do with making money – it’s all business. It’s also been said that the easiest way to make a million in music is to start with two million.
I think my meager success can be attributed mainly to the fact that I just kept going, and going. It really does take awhile to gain momentum in this field, so my advice is just go one note at a time.
Q: What about your private life outside of performing and your music school, are there other projects that keep you busy and satisfied?
A: Private life? Ha! Well, you kind of give that up when you go into show biz, but I’m glad to say that after 45 years on this planet I’m finally learning the value of having one. A private life, that is.
I think my biggest personal satisfaction recently has been my decision to not let “rock and roll” run my life. See, it’s no secret that performers often self medicate to keep up with the insane demands of the road, and I was one of them. At first I would drink to calm me down when I was in front of a huge audience. I mean, it’s hard to relate to unless you’ve been there, but it’s pretty damn scary climbing up on stage and singing your heart out in front of a sea of people you don’t know from Adam. Sure, it’s a huge rush when it goes your way, but an audience can also turn into a sea of sharks in a moment! I’ve seen it happen.
So it’s really easy to get into the habit of using alcohol to anesthetized those fears. And then you’re on the good old Jim Morrison/Jimi Hendrix/Janis Joplin path, which only leads to one conclusion.
Before I knew it I was a problem drinker, so that’s why a little over a year ago today I quit drinking. It’s been quite a journey, and not been all pleasant, but my music and creative energy have benefited hugely. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. As I tell my students, you can either learn to avoid addiction now, or spend the second half of your career in recovery!
Hmmm, oh, projects besides music…well, I’ve started writing. I had the opportunity a few years ago to write a column for the Bluegrass Breakdown (thanks Mark Varner!) and it has turned into a new passion for me. My column is titled “Jamming 101″ and it’s a tongue-in-cheek memoir of my adventures teaching music throughout the years.
By the way if you’re into bluegrass and you live in California you ought to subscribe, it’s a great resource. Anyway, recently I had the revelation that these columns could be chapters to a book, and so that was the birth of my first soon-to-be released paperback, which I am calling “Banjos In Babylon”. Soon to be available at car washes and used book bins near you!
Q: I must say one of the many reasons you have my respect is that you’ve faced your challenges head on. Additionally, since you’re writing these days, you’ve landed right in the middle of where I operate. When can we expect to see publication of “Banjos in Babylon?” In your words, can you give us a bit more of a hint about what you think readers and musicians will enjoy about it?
A: Well, All I can say is that I’m certainly enjoying writing it, and I can only hope my future readership will as well. There’s certainly no lack of material to write about, especially when you spend more than a decade traveling around the country teaching bluegrass! From my early days as a hippy kid on a bus, to learning banjo in the woods and all the crazy music festivals we ended up at, there’s a lot of stories. It’s hard to say when it will be released, but everything will be announced on the Jamming 101 Facebook page for sure. Hoping for fall of 2014. And I’m going to be self-publishing it, at least for now, thanks to your sage advice Greg!
Before we let Sid go, I’ll confess that I’ve read some of Sid’s writings and can’t help talking it up. Be sure to stop by Sids blog to see what we can all look forward to when Banjos in Babylon comes out. I want to thank my friend Sid for being so kind with his time today for sharing his experiences as a musician. Since I’m a big fan of Sid’s, I won’t be shy about encouraging everyone to visit the websites listed here and follow him on his social media sites. Most importantly, if you’re a fledgling musician like I am, I’ll encourage you to take a spin by Sid’s “Jamming 101″ and maybe take a lesson.
www.facebook.com/jamming101online
www.facebook.com/chicoschoolofrock
www.facebook.com/lowflyingbirds
