Clearing the dead wood

I just had 2 formerly magnificent large oak trees removed from my front yard. It was very sad at first. I was pretty upset that these wonderful shade trees had to go. My house will not look right from the street for one thing. For another, why did they have to go?

Because apparently, they were completely dead. Ok. so no leaves in the spring, but can't we just leave the huge structure for posterity? Nope. You see, with a windstorm they could come right down on the house. Right down on the corner where my kids sleep. I couldn't take that chance.

But why did they die? Who knows. But they were very much not alive and very much not going to come back so they presented a danger. So for a couple of sad days we watched them be hacked up and taken apart and taken away. Perhaps something useful to come from the dead wood, but here in the landscape where they dominated, nothing but a memory of their glory days.

Once they were gone, I took a look around and realized how much yard was suddenly available for other things. How the seemingly endless stream of falling leaves might not be missed. Yes the yard was different, but it was more open and a new sort of beginning seemed possible out there. My sadness became introspection as to the possibilities. I had to see things differently but simply could not imagine the new until the old was out of the way.

This mirrors in many ways what has happened in the music business. The old strong oaks are dead or dying. Some of the old powers that were, cannot dream of life without them dominating the landscape as they have seemingly forever. but its too late. If we don't clear the dead wood we cannot build anything new. We are in danger of old structures falling and crushing precious new things before they can become vital. We have to accept that a new day has dawned.

Music goes on forever, as does plant life in my little yard. But the old ways must be cleared for new things and new life.

My hope is that, as an older guy who has made a very good living in the old music world, I never cling to dead trees. I want new life and new music and new fans. I hope that TourSavant can be a part of the new along with many other new plantings.