A Moment in Time

 I have a theory about creativity based on nothing more than casual observation, mild speculation, and curiosity. This whole idea of being able to create masterful works of art (in a myriad of different forms and genres) has always fascinated me since an early age. How did those artists, whom I admire so much, find that window of opportunity to create their art?

For each, there seemed to have been a ‘moment in time’ when they were at their most creative best. Granted, it’s a very personal observation but one that seems to repeat itself over and over again. Bob Dylan in the early 60s, the Beatles about the same time, CCR in the late 60’s and the list goes on and on.

Jazz begets Bo-Bop which led to ‘race music’ or early rock and roll. Do-Wop groups morphed into single pop artists or singing duos. Each seemed to have their small, brief time in the spotlight when their music shined brightly and captured the hearts and minds of millions like myself. But then as social norms and attitudes changed, the music moved on and became something else. Each seemed to have its own brief time in the sunlight (read spotlight) before something else took its place.

A closer examination in the book ‘The Song Machine’ revealed some of the time frames surrounding many top producing artists and/or organizations in my musical lexicon. Phil Spector with his famous wall of sound produced numerous hits until the end of 1966 when the failure of his masterpiece, Ike and Tina Turner’s ‘River Deep-Mountain High’ drove him to early retirement.

Motown, the ultimate hit factory out of Detroit, rolled out a string of hits until greed, envy and unbridled ambition ended its reign at roughly the same time Spector’s factory closed down. Closer to home, Sound Eighty recording studios in South Minneapolis burned brightly in the early eighties until digital technology and a clash of creative minds closed it down after only a dozen years.

So, the question is: do we each have our own time in the spotlight in whatever area of interest we nurture in our heart? On a more personal note, are I in the midst of my own creative period?

I’ve been tap-dancing around the arts since an early age. From rudimentary drawings of Hollywood inducted fantasies to an outline for a TV script for ‘Have Gun, Will Travel,’ I’ve dipped my mind into the other world of ‘what if?’ all of my life. Granted, it was always a side venture, never enough to sustain me financially or creatively until now.

Working in television and freelance gigs in cable augmented that interest in the arts with the occasional paying side hustle and other creative ventures. Two of my first westerns were written in our first home in Maryland in the evening hours after work. One year per book. Then nothing came of them until forty years later when they finally attained book form. After that, the flood gates seemed to open. I gave birth to more books then plays and finally movie scripts.

After that period, a comic strip was born alongside a skinny little hippo. Then song lyrics to accompany some of my plays began to drain out of my brain. Each became a new creative avenue to explore in another form of story-telling.

So the question begs to be answered. Is that it then? Is my creative window going to close anytime soon? In a strange turn of events, I seem to be getting more creative as I age. My interest in a myriad of things continues to grow and expand. Each is ripe material for story-telling. Song writing now holds the edge over other creative endeavors. It would seem that time and health are the two biggest factors affecting my hours logged on the computer or scratch pad.

Is this my time of the most creativity or is it just a blip in my life’s story? I really don’t know.

If it’s true that an active mind and body are two key elements to living longer, I would seem to be in good standing among the senior crowd. Or is it just a fleeting moment in time soon to be edged aside by older age, health issues or a visit by the grim reaper?

Hell, if I know. But until then, excuse me, I’ve got a story to tell.