Money

a lot of people are having a hard time right now
i see it on the streets
and on the socials
and within CAL

i’m always hesitant to talk about money
but fuck that
i’ve done well
i’ve gone broke twice
at first when the company started
everything was cashed in and spent
even my sons education funds
and then again during the pandemic
i paid musicians
and while pride is indeed a sin
i am proud of that moment in time

i’ve got enough now
and i want everyone to know
that when you buy a ticket
it goes into the musicians pockets
i take my salary
and we float some cash in the corporate bank account
but i’m not interested in anything else material in my life
or accumulating wealth

the reason that musicians stay with me for as long as they do
isn’t because of who i am as a man
it’s because i pay them well
they’ve spent a lifetime getting their artistry together
and they need to be rewarded properly
so please know
that when you buy a ticket
you are making a difference
and man
that feels good
that is the meaning of life

all of our merch money goes to the cancer society
and soon  i’m going to be auctioning off my artwork
with all the proceeds going to the cancer society

we all talk about AI
if your job can be replaced with a computer
it will be
that is the way forward for society
our children will forge a life based on their individuality
(a side note - i really believe that if your kid wants to be an influencer
that is a viable option now!)
but AI will never give the rush of a concert
that’s why i believe
that art will become even more valuable going forward

i’m sixty two
i’ve suffered tragedy
meaning and context are important now
depth
faith in something
being able to love
and be loved
sharing
friendship
sex
a good walk
a shot of jack
and sharing the success with people who have stood by me
for that past 20 years who have had my back
honest and good people
whose one directive is to make the show perfect
so you feel good

in 2024 there is a new door
and that door
leads to optimism
don’t let the bastards grind you down
open the door tonight
and walk through it
find the path and stay on it
we’ll help with the soundtrack


craig

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