Come Forth O' Common Spark
Lately in my job I have had ample opportunities to converse with folks from foreign countries. It is peak season for motorcycle riding and our rental business here in Marietta, Georgia is booming. We have customers from around the world come through our Harley-Davidson dealership who want to experience the spectacular scenery in the Appalachian Mountains just a few hours north. Atlanta is home to a modern and highly accessible international airport and our South is home to some great cultural cities. There are some enterprising travel agencies and tour operators that have fashioned tours around the unique musical genres of our adjacent geography: Nashville/ Country Music; Memphis/Blues/ and New Orleans/Jazz.
On occassion I am shuttling these travelors back and forth to the airport and during these periods I have learned that the world knows full well what is happening with our country. Just recently I had a German gentleman tell me that Boubon Street did not live up to it's heritage and the origins of the jazz culture which helped make it world famous. Instead, he said that it was nothing more than a bunch of drunk kids and off-beat urban rock music. I could not avoid telling him that indeed our country is losing a hold on the historic culture of our American Exceptionalism that is the cornerstone of this democratic republic.
I have a great affection for the music of a man who I consider an American Treasure, Aaron Copland. There is a great debate occuring now in our country about immigration. Not sure how important the topic? Take a look into the lineage of Mr. Copland -who is arguably the original and most quintessential American classical composer- and you will certainly have a clearer view of how critcal the subject of this debate is! Do you want to find support for the argument that Judeo-Christian principals are the foundation for our country and culture? Look to Mr. Copland's music. It is the Spirit of America embodied in his music "Fanfare for the Common Man":
If you want to find some truth about our exceptional American journey, take a few minutes to learn about this man and his musical accomplishments. Better yet, have a seat, put the head phones on, sit back, meditate, pray....listen to the divinity within the notes of his "Appalachian Spring" - full of grace and glory.
Amen Brother Copland
Bradford Bosworth
October 2015
