Perspiration/Inspiration
Third and Lindsley
October 8, 2005
MJ Pulaski
Recall the first song you heard by Webb Wilder. Did it get under your skin? Did it pull you in, “‘cause it was strong, strong, strong”?
Sure did a number on me first time. Late one night I was listening to KPIG radio over the ‘net, working on something that had a deadline, when “Tough it Out” came on. Whew! I was “gone, gone, gone” then and there.
The words to the song spoke to me of my own life’s story. “’Till I win the prize, I’ll tough it out. Straight ahead. Knock ‘em dead…No compromise….”
Oh. Then there was the music that carried those words….. balls to the wall Rock and Roll. Like it should be played. Makes you stick your chin out real sassy-like, push your ass out and strut-yer-stuff kind of music. Puts a silly grin on your face without your knowing. Takes you to a place where time and space don’t matter, ‘cause you are soooo in the Now.
I guess that is the essence of genius when an artist can evoke these types of responses to his/her art.
On Saturday night I had a lovely dinner conversation with Webb before the show at 3rd and Lindsley. He was sitting at the bar, still a little sweaty after setting up his gear and doing the sound check, ordering up food, just like the rest of us shmoes. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to sit next to him and chat.
Over the years of listening to Webb on XM Radio and CD as well as seeing his performances, I developed the opinion that this guy is a genius. I was slightly intimidated in approaching him, partly because of his genius and partly because I was worried that I would get the brush-off of a pre-performance artist.
To my relief, Webb was very open to conversation…..another fine quality of the man.
I am fascinated by genius and the creative process. Does the artist’s creation come from within, or is s/he merely a transcriber – a conduit – for some Ethereal Source? Solieri wondered about that very thing regarding Mozart and his compositions.
I asked Webb about his creative process. His initial reaction was something like “I never think of it that way”. Then he said “I am more of a ‘get out there and just play Rock 'n Roll' kinda guy. I don’t sit in the quiet somewhere and compose my stuff”. He then said that he’s written many songs that seemed really good when writing them, but the next day he’d look at them again and trash ‘em.
I pointed out to him what Thomas Edison said about genius: that it was “99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration”. Seems like Webb fits that mold quite well.
I asked Webb if he thought of himself as a creative genius. His answer: “I don't know if I'm that. It's just that everyone should try to be the best he can possibly be at what he does. That’s what I try and do.”
Webb said that many of his songs are the result of “years” of development and writing. Two songs came to mind: “Had to Laugh” and “Flat Out Get It”. Webb said he and RS “Bobby” Field would tinker with a tune until they felt it was a worthy addition to the WW Catalogue. I didn’t take notes during our conversation, but if memory serves me, “Had to Laugh” had a gestation period of almost 8 years and “Flat Out Get It” 4 years.
Webb did say that if he had one regret about the creative side of his art, it's that "I didn't compose more songs."
When you consider the amount of time Webb spends as an XM Radio DJ in addition to his artistic endeavors, you have to be impressed with his prodigious work ethic. I sometimes think that if I would spend as much time at my career as Webb does to his, I’d be much further along.
The show at 3rd and Lindsley on Saturday night was vintage Webb Wilder. George Bradfute played bass, Tony lead and Jimmy the drums. I was a little miffed why George was relegated to bass, because I am so enamored by his work at lead, but Tony did a fine job. Each time I see Tony play, I gain greater respect for his talent.
This will probably be the last WW show I’ll see for awhile. I’m moving to South Dakota for a job that’ll take me about 4 years to complete. I gotta tell you folks……it’s still the Dakota Territory……populated by cowboys and Indians, where the buffalo, deer and the antelope roam…..only small twin engine planes come to my town once a day! It’s not at the end of the world, but you can see it from where I live.
Peace.