Page 171 - July ONLINE VERSION

Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams music, and even That encourages me. When I think about times in
a few original tunes as well. my life in which people who are different than me
get on my nerves, and when I feel like I just can't Old Soul, New Shoes
stand it, I'm reminded of the imagery of a barber-
shop chorus. Tenors and baritones usually have else? I don’t think that is what we were designed to
these really funky parts that just don't seem to make do. Some of our kids have no idea as to what real
sense on their own, but when you take a step back community is anymore because they are so focused
and look at the whole, you get something so beauti- on the self. Community isn’t collecting likes and fol-
J O N A T H A N ful. It reminds me to be thankful for all of the parts lowers on social media, but rather, coming together

G R E E R that you have in a song, or in a business, or in a in joy, tragedy, and times of change with others who
you are close with. In music, we find this energetic
family.
community. There is hope that, through music, we
ZGP: Can music make us better humans? can discover our different “notes” and come together
JG: I had a really good conversation with a friend re- to create a more inclusive world.
Old Soul, New Shoes
cently about the importance of storytelling through
song. There’re some songs that resonate with you in ZGP: Is there a genuine connection between
a way that seem to offer great explanations for what music and our soul?
By Tammy Yosich I also serve as the music minister at Highland Park bigger questions that make you want jump in even ed to my love and appreciation of music. Let me
you're feeling, but yet at the same time propose even
JG: My undergrad degree in philosophy is connect-
Church. We do everything from older hymns to
deeper. “What does this mean? How do I really feel
answer this question in two parts. The philosopher
more modern contemporary worship. I get called
into the studio every now and then with a friend of about it?" in me wants to answer that question this way: even
if there is no such thing as a soul (disclaimer for the
ZGP: Where did music start for you? mine who runs a studio in Memphis. Between all of In the same way a mentor can offer advice to a stu- materialists), every interaction you have changes
JG: I’d like to think that it began in middle school that and my pet projects, it keeps my musical plate dent or a pupil, music can offer advice to its par- your brain chemistry in some way. One would have
drumline, but I think back to even further than that. full. ticipants. This includes both the moral lessons that to admit that, in no other discipline–creative or
What really started it for me was a video game demo come along with the subject matter of music, and otherwise–except for music, does the participation
that came in the mail as a part of a subscription, and ZGP: You don't get harmony if everyone also one’s participation in the music itself. Learning of the activity light up every region of your brain:
the demo that month was Guitar Hero. I think that sings the same note. What does that mean to to work together with others and not always trying creatively, mechanically, logically, emotionally, and
was my first introduction to music. The developers you? to be the biggest, loudest sound out there is very on and on. All these factors come together in music:
chose songs like classic rock tunes, so that became JG: I got to participate in the Casey Jones Barber- important! creating the music, understanding the mechanics of
my first love of music, right from the get-go. My shop Chorus. I directed the group for about 6 years the relationship between the keys and notes, and the
mom played violin and guitar, and sang a little. My or so and sang with them even before I had come Music is fundamentally cooperative, where you have logic in the message one is trying to convey through
dad sang as well. on as director. In barbershop, you have four voice a group of people coming together to create some- the music, the passion put into playing. Thus, when
parts that come together: the lead, the baritone, thing beautiful. Ironically, music implies difference, you have all these neurons firing at the same time,
ZGP: Who are your musical influences? the tenor, and the bass. All of those voice parts are yet brings together diverse folks to listen to the same at the end of a jam session or concert, you have this
JG: Music is one of those things that you can pick singing completely different parts. If you were to tune or create a song or rhythm. The structure of sense of awe. That is personally transformative, even
up a new influence wherever you go. Stevie Wonder sing barbershop by yourself, you'd get some terrible, music itself has chords, which typically are con- for those who claim the idea of a soul is silly.
is one of my favorites. He has great music; no mat- awful sounding music. It's only when you bring all structed from three very different notes, but when
ter what you like, you can find something of his to four of those voice parts together that you get this they come together, they create this harmonious
enjoy. Others of note are the Allman Brothers, old overwhelmingly beautiful thing that comes from the sound. Thus, through the connection of music, hu-
and modern jazz musicians, and of course Stevie harmony. manity could model vibrant difference, yet practice
Ray Vaughn. There's a whole hodgepodge of people being harmonious as a whole.
and influences that have come together to flavor my
music. In American culture today, the dominant narrative
is that everyone wants to be the biggest individual
I have a group called the Jackson’s Hubtet from right they can be. How can I attain the largest number of Put from a more personal perspective, I believe that
here in Hub City. The five of us perform old country followers on social media, be the one everyone looks there is a huge connection between music and the
and jazz, like Patsy Cline, Louie Armstrong, and Ella to, have the trendiest style, and how can I strive to soul, which does exist. One of my favorite jazz tunes
Fitzgerald type music, all the way to more modern do so much on my own that I don’t need anyone Continued Next Page

170 www.zoegracepublishing.com ZGP Magazine ZGP Magazine www.zoegracepublishing.com 171