The Secret Mission of the Folk Musician - Part 2

post 28 - Interview with Jon Stotian – integrity and compassion

In a recent interview, I spoke with musician/Wisdom Catcher Jon Stotian about his work as a full-time touring folk musician. What he shared showed a love for excellence and a consciousness of how his work impacts others. His ideas can be applied to many fields beyond music - public speaking, public service, parenting, teaching, and more. I see a lot of people practice what Jon described, but I don’t hear much of it discussed in the public square - as if it’s some kind of “secret.” So, I thought I’d share some of it here.

This is Part 2 of the interview.  We talked after Jon gave a spectacular house concert in New Jersey.  Using “stories” and “songs” interchangeably, Jon said we need to tell our stories with honesty, integrity, truth, and compassion.  In Part 1, we talked about honesty and truth.  Here’s what Jon shared about integrity and compassion:

Integrity

Jon:  “You know I don’t have the greatest voice.  Right? But it is my duty – shall I accept it – and I do - to use my voice as best as I possibly can.  To play each guitar riff as artfully as possible.  To polish the story until it shines!  Until it sings!

“Acting with integrity is a gift to the world.  It’s an act of love.  When you bring a story into the world, you give it life.  You give it birth, and over time, that story may take on a life of its own.  So, you want to give it the best possible start.”

Spook: “Tell us more.”

Jon: “Suppose you were to bring a child into this world.  A lot of your readers - mothers, and fathers - can relate.  Hopefully, you will do what it takes to deliver a healthy, wholesome child free of extraneous baggage such as health issues, family disharmony, or world strife.  Bring it into a clean environment. 

“It’s the same with birthing a story or a song.  Give it the loving care to come into this world clean and wholesome.”

Spook:  “And that is a gift to the world?”

Jon:  “Perhaps more than a lot of people realize.  What you share - the melody, the rhythm, the words – they are new additions to the world.  The world has grown by one song.  But it’s the same with How you share it.  When you act out of love, especially when it involves other people, you add love to the world.  The world becomes a more loving place.  In that sense, love and integrity are both what’s and how’s.” 

Compassion

Spook:  “And what about compassion?”

Jon:  “Listen!  As Pete (Seeger) would ask, ‘What makes you so dog on sure’ that your story is right?  You’re making your best guess - hopefully. But people want to tell their stories, too. And maybe their stories are right, too - at least for them. Or they give your story context.  So, listen! Listen with an open mind, with integrity, and without judgment. That’s an act of compassion. 

“Pete also told us the right song, at the right time, in the right place, sung with the right people can change the world.  And I agree.  But what is right?  What makes this song, the right song?  Or this time, the right time?  It’s a moving target that can often be found only in the moment.” 

Spook:  “And how do you find it?

Jon:  “This circles back to listening.  Listen to the story as it presents itself to you, and relay it to the audience with honesty, integrity, truth, and compassion.  And yet, as good as you may be at doing this, you still might flub it. You might not hear the story correctly.  You might not tell the story accurately.  Maybe you choose the wrong words to tell an otherwise ‘right’ story.  Or maybe the song is right, but it’s not the right time or place.  Or maybe some people are not ready to hear the story and they push back. 

“Then again, maybe you are wrong.  Either way, after the show, people may offer different stories.  Or share historical background or personal experience.  Have the compassion to let people agree, disagree, add to, or subtract from your story. Then it becomes our story.”

Seeds

Jon continues: “Most of all, after you give it your best, let go! You are scattering seeds.  Right? That’s what the songs and stories are - seeds.  It’s like your song, Spook. Scatter Seeds: 

Scatter Seeds 
One kind deed 
Will they grow? 
We may never know 
It’s not for us to say  
So let’s keep on our way
Tomorrow is another day
To scatter seeds.”

- Keep the Flame Alive!