Berklee College of Music held its annual four-day City Music Network Conference on Monday,November 2 at Downtown Los Angeles’ Omni Hotel. Over 200 registrants enjoyed presentations and conversations from all walks of the music industry, along with academia. One panel involved music icons Gladys Knight and Bill Withers. Joined by Bobby Colomby, Tommy LiPuma, Ray Chew, Ricky Minor and Ron Weisner as host, the group of industry veterans discussed everything from contemporary music creation to changes due to technology.
Knight concentrated on bridging the gap between old and new traditions. “If we’re going to stay and be a part of society as a whole, then we have to learn from each other,” said the seven-time Grammy winner. “We have to come together and get the best of what we have to offer.” Part of that meant encouraging mentorship toward the next generation of musicians. “I always wanted to teach, empower and be an example from the very beginning,” Knight said. “That’s the way I was raised. As I grew into my adulthood, I tried to be that as a person first but also as an entertainer.” Knight closed her talk by challenging new musicians to make music that’s productive.
Withers has been quiet since leaving the industry over two decades ago. Since then, the only real insight on the “Lean on Me” singer/songwriter/musician was the positively received documentary, Still Bill. Before giving the story on his early beginnings in music, he made valid points on today’s music industry. “We all live in the time we live in and there’s nothing you can do about the fact that this is your time,” said Withers.
The three-time Grammy winner even used the beginning of recorded music as an example. “There was a time where you couldn’t record anything; you played something and it went into the wind whether or not someone heard it,” Withers said. “Someone like Thomas Edison has come up with a machine where you can sing into it and it’ll play back your voice. “So those people where going through the same type of transition that people are going through today that we are now.” The biggest lesson Withers had for those in attendance was not letting the music business distract potential musicians from their love of the art. “The best analogy I can give you: Just because you’re not gifted enough to be a pimp doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy sex,” Withers said. “Don’t cheat yourself out of the pleasure you get from music.”
—Ural Garrett
