I know that motivational speakers tell us we should always think big. And back in my days of residential real estate sales and marketing, I read, listened to and got revved up by my share of these gurus. But later in the very different worldof music I somehow forgot all about it. And so this is my story of why everyone should make always thinking big second nature …

Oh, I did manage to get The First Book of Oregon Jazz, Rock & All Sorts of Music published, not because of any logical plan but mainly due to believing it would happen. And I loved my brief experience of fame, if not fortune. Starting with the fabulous book release party where champagne flowed, video cameras rolled and seven talented Portland bands played half the night. And on to getting “backstage” and meeting accomplished artists by just flashing my book.

Our August 9th, 1982 publication was timed to coincide with the first Mt. Hood Jazz Festival and I had the satisfaction of standing next to Joe Williams (a giant of slinky jazz and blues who became famous singing with Count Basie’s big band in the ‘50s and who played Bill Cosby’s father-in-law on TV) as a big grin showed off his pearly whites while he read my near-gushing paragraphs about himself. And I was in heaven as he shared a few comical stories with one arm around me.

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A few months later when Joe was back in Portland for a charity event, I went backstage and was greeted like an old friend. During our conversation he asked if I’d like to write a book about him and gave me his (unlisted) phone number.

Well, of course I would have loved to do it but I had no idea how to do it and so I didn’t do it. And then a mere four years later, there it was in bookstores, Every Day … the biography of Joe Williams by Leslie Gourse.

Truth be told, I know I could have done better by Joe. And now he and Leslie are both gone. So, as I said, make it your motto: Always Think BIG!

Positively,
Carolan