Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Every Monday afternoon around 2ish, I take the DC metro transit to school. I get off at the Metro Center stop to transfer to the red line. As the metro doors open, I hear the resonance of three part harmony and lyrics to an oh so familiar classic..."Why do fools fall in love." Three guys are standing in the middle of the platform singing and dancing their hearts out for the small Metro crowd. People constantly walk by and drop money in a hat they have placed in front of them. As I walked by I hear comments from those standing near.
"They are really good."
"Now this is real music."
One U.S. Soldier, dressed in his BDU and carrying bags and a backpack, walks up to the crowd and manages to hold his phone up in the air after he says to whomever is on the other end..."Hold on...Listen...can you hear them?"
I've seen these guys many times before. If you've ever took the DC metro train then you've probably seen them too. They are always at different train stations singing for the people: L'enFant Plaza, Metro Center, Gallery Place Chinatown, Woodley Park, Georgetown and many others. As I watched them, I wondered about their story. I wanted to know what was behind the music, how they got here and why they continued to come back to the train stations to perform. So I asked them:
Henry (Baritone), Jamie (1st tenor), and Tyrone (2nd tenor) have been in a group for 9 years. A 4th memeber, Reggie (bass) fills in periodically when Henry can't make it. They call themselves: After the Storm. They were all born and raised in the DMV area.
Did you always have a love for music? When did you know that music was what you loved and wanted to do?
Jamie-"I used to be an athlete. I played football. I never really wanted to sing at first. But I always had the gift. And when God gives you a gift you have to use it. And I have been singing ever since."
Tyrone- "Well I come from a background of music. My brothers and I used to have a group before this one. I always had a love for it since I was little."
Henry-"When I came out of the womb and the doctor smacked me on my behind, I think I came out singing...Oooooohhh. "But I was raised in the church so I always sang in the church."
Do you ever want to make it big or do you just do it for the love of the music?
Tyrone-"I used to want to make it big and sing on big stages but now I just do it for the love of the music. If I make it big, its up the the big man upstairs."
Henry-"If you doing it for the love of money, there will be days when you will pack up everything, leave and never come back. We do it because we love music. It ain't like you wake up one day and decide to become a singer. You are born a singer. Doctors are made. Lawyers are made. Singers and artists are born. Either you got it or you don't. Either it's in you or it ain't. And that is all there is to it."
Do you make a lot of money when you come down to the metro to sing? How much do you make?
Tyrone- (smiles)
Henry- (he smirks)"We do aight."
Jamie- "We eat."
Where can people see you perform besides the metro? Do you perform anywhere else?
Jamie- "Yes, we perform all over the area at banquets and private affairs."
As, I finished up what seemed to be turning into an interview, I thought about all the singers and artists out there who are grinding, performing, creating, and doing it just for the love of music. There are no big lights, magazine covers, million dollar tours, and millions of screaming fans. It is just the music and some smiling faces. And they are doing it for the love of it...nothing more nothing less.
And I thought about my own path and how far I had come and how far I still had to go. Regardless, of what happens in my future, I will still love music. I will never leave it and nothing can keep me from it because it is in me. If I never earned a dime and no one ever knows who I am, I would still pick up a mic or a pen when given the chance. I do it for the love.
AFTER THE STORM is a very fitting name. After all trials and the changes that life brings, you are still singing. After all your other peers gave up and let the music disappear you are still singing. You come back everyday to put a smile on some faces because of your love for the music. Thank you! You are appreciated.
The blog post is dedicated to all the singers, musicians, and artists out there doing it just for the love no matter the circumstances. Tryone, Henry, and Jamie, I admire you. And I respect your grind. You are one of the millions of unsung heroes that we see every day. KEEP ROCKIN'!
There are Tyrones, Henrys, and Jamies in every neighborhood. When you happen to see them and pass by, just tell them thank you.
Questions, comments and booking info for AFTER THE STORM please email PSAcomments@gmail.com
Download AFTER THE STORM VOLUME 3http://www.zshare.net/download/751810633941474b/
Aint too Proud to Beg
