Fear Itself

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

That famous quote from Franklin Roosevelt hit home with a nation torn apart by war. But taken in a more general context, it’s a brilliant metaphor for life.

Fear can be a great motivator. It can keep us safe and help us avoid danger. It can make us think twice before auditioning for a Darwin award.

But fear can be a source of paralysis. It can cause us to avoid taking chances. Better safe than sorry.

Some fears are justified. Fear of walking through Central Park at night is probably wise.

Others are based on unknowns. Fear of what might happen. Fear of making a mistake.

Sometimes you just have to take the leap.

Quick Updates

I’ve been collaborating with my long-time friends at Ampeg on tributes to commemorate their 75th anniversary. That recently included a fun hang with two of my fave peeps from the Kenny Chesney camp, bassist Harmoni Kelley and FOH legend Robert Scovill. Watch for some really great clips coming up.

We also recently shot some video with composer Jeff Rona and engineer Brandon Seliga in Jeff’s newly-completed ATMOS room. It’s outfitted with more than a dozen Mackie monitors, and it sounds fantastic.

Season 15, Episode 8 of Insights In Sound just dropped, featuring modular synthesis whiz Chris Meyer. Coming up next, producer/bassist Sheldon Gomberg and, marking our 150th episode, legendary producer/synthesist Robert Margouleff. Upcoming episodes include chats with sound designer Charles Maynes, Cherokee Studios co-founder Bruce Robb, and the irrepressible and multi-talented producer Niko Bolas. Subscribe to the YouTube channel and this newsletter for the latest.

Podcaster Alert: After lots of suggestions and nudging, I’m finally putting together a playbook on Video for the Rest of Us. It’s short tips for doing video for non-video people…everything from run-and-gun rigs and editing to the art of the interview. If you know me, you already know it won’t be your typical video course. If you’re interested, or you know someone who might be (or should be), send me a note.