If You Can’t be a Star…

The wife likes watching the CMA awards each year. Most years they interfere with something I’d rather be watching so she tapes them and watches latter.

Last night she wanted to watch them and I sat through part of it with her. What amazed me wasn’t the stars, the songs, the stage show or Faith Hill’s little fit. I was impressed with a man that was inducted into the hall of fame.

I had never heard of him. I doubt many country music fans every have. Sure you may have seen his name before if you were reading through an album cover. Even if you had read it I doubt you would have remembered him.

Harold Bradley had a career as a performer and studio musician that lasted over sixty years. He is without a doubt the most recorded guitar player in history. His resume of songs, reads like a who’s who of country music, covering the last half century.

Yet few outside of the Nashville music scene have heard of him. Bradley is a minority in the entertainment business. He’s a vary talented musician, who’s achieved a rare level of accomplishment. No doubt he’s made good money at it. In an industry where fame is the goal, he traded off fame for professional and personal accomplishment.

I bet he got to go home most nights, see his kids, kiss the wife and pet the dog. He’s quite the contrast to other performers in music today that sacrifice family, friends and values in order to get fame at any cost.

Then again, maybe he is the real star.