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  • Dear Musician - Waiting on the World to Change

    But the time has come for me to do something about it…

    By Dendy Jarrett | (edited)

     

    In the popular John Mayer song released in 2006, the lyrics in the chorus say this:

     

    It's hard to beat the system

    When we're standing at a distance

    So we keep waiting (waiting)

    Waiting on the world to change.

     

    I’ve been involved with Harmony Central since 2004. Our Mission Statement has always been to inspire people to Make Better Music, and we’ve been determined to stay true to that mission. There are times we may have fallen short, but after all, we are people.

     

    I write this not to grand stand, but I realize that many of you may have seen this in the press this past week and might wonder what it means for Harmony Central. I’ve accepted a new position with our parent company, Gibson. I believe that Harmony Central and our mission opened the door for the opportunity specifically because of our mission and how closely it ties in with the Gibson Foundation's new mission.

     

     

     dendy-jarrett--foundation-portrait-hc-image-a4bc2e68.jpg.51b4ec172d1b96dae40314a197f3a768.jpg

    Billboard Magazine - Jarrett Appointed Executive Director of the Gibson Foundation

     

     

    With Harmony Central, I’ve been able to provide words of encouragement, inspiration, and hope regarding music, teaching music, sharing music, and making better music. With this new appointment, I’ll be able to take that one step further by being able to give instruments while evangelizing all of the same great messages I’ve been able to tout while at Harmony Central.

     

    But what does all this mean for Harmony Central? Well, at least for now, I’m still here and hope to be here for a while longer.

     

    How can you help? Please go to www.gibsonfoundation.org and donate. 100% of your donation will go to help great partners whom we support…like Little Kids Rock, Notes For Notes, or Guitars for Vets (to name a few).

     

    The need is real, and the difference the gift of music makes has been proven over and over.  So go be awesome and keep making better music – and if you feel compelled, help us help others to do the same. The time has come for me to do something about it….  -HC-

     

     

    Header Image courtesy Notes for Notes

    Jarrett Image courtesy Gibson

    _________________________________________________________________

     

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    Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.

     

     

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    Edited by Dendy Jarrett

    Sub Title: But the time has come for me to do something about it…
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    KingAnimal
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    Hey dendy I was wondering if you could find my old username and PW it use to be Hendrix_ is_the_$hit out something like that

    I'd appreciate it and my bad for losing my old username to

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    Idunno
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    Congratulations. I think you'll do fine in the position and further your influence with the spirit that's carried you this far.

     

    Music, or artistic flux, is a natural ear-shaping influence in a turnstile from and to every point of the compass. I know I've taken and given back in my time with the art form's best interests in mind and spirit.  I've always wished it could be more but I'm good with just the association and contribution of my limited development. I can't imagine anyone intimately close to music feeling much different.

     

    Charitably speaking, cast off instruments and gear are good symbols of unity when gifted away to their greater appreciation. I've done it several times, including lessons, with fleeting sighs of accomplishment that really do accrue.

     

    Again, congratulations on the new job.

     

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    vinny stefanelli
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    Dendy, 

    Congratulations on your new position and your new mission! 

    I've been a professional musician for 45 years, and I also changed the direction of my career. It was in 2011, when I became rather discontent with performing and began to reflect on my reason for playing music. I realized that music brought me happiness but even more importantly, it brought peace to my life. 

    At this same time, I kept finding news stories about the suicide rate among the Veterans community - but I was also - "...standing at a distance... Waiting on the world to change."

    So, I decided to reach out to Veterans to share the gift of music in the hopes of ending the Veteran suicide epidemic. That was the beginning of the Music for Veterans program.  Now, in cooperation with the VA and Vet Centers, my mission is providing Veterans with instruments, music lessons and the opportunity to once again experience the camaraderie they had enjoyed in the military by playing in the Music for Veterans band.  

    Nothing compares to helping someone find peace in their life and one Veteran finding peace through music reverberates not only through their family but through the entire Veteran community!

    Peace, Vinny Stefanelli www.Music4Veterans.org

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