Shannon Hoon was the lead singer of the band, Blind Melon. A band that those of us growing up in Indiana, loved with a passion. We loved their music, we loved their proximity. We felt a part of something as we watched our fellow Hoosiers take the world by storm.
Shannon's story took a tragic turn with his death from a drug overdose at age 28. An artist's soul can be a place of torment.
My son, a true musician, an artist's soul, was introduced to Blind Melon through the CDs he adopted from his father and me. He became mesmerized by Shannon's story because the music spoke to him in a way that none had before. He would tell me at age thirteen, he wanted to make music that was genre breaking just like Blind Melon. Something so unique that it brought about complete change in the way that people loved and experienced it. And the fact that his father had spent more than a few reckless nights with young Shannon before the fame, was fanning his flame for Shannon's story.
When my son learned of this Kickstarter program he called me first thing in the morning while I was away on vacation and asked me if I'd seen it and would I help share it. When your son asks, you respond. And because I am still a rabid fan of Blind Melon today often jamming "Change" in the car so loud it rattles the windows and reshapes my soul. When my son knows it's a tough day for me he'll just show up with his acoustic and start strumming "Change" because he knows the calming salve of music to a troubled soul.
My hope is that through the support and love for my son's gift that he'll continue to be inspired to share his story and let the love of music stir his soul for many years to come. He also fears the torment of fame. He has said many times, he hopes he can get just good enough to inspire people with his music but not famous enough to lose his place in the world.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch this video and consider donating to the cause.
Shannon's story ended too soon and those of us that have loved Blind Melon for all of these years, want more of the story to unfold.
Donate Here - Kickstarter
Just a sneak peak .....
"Change"
I don't feel the suns comin' out today
its staying in, its gonna find another way.
As I sit here in this misery, I don't
think I'll ever see the sun from here.
And oh as I fade away,
they'll all look at me and say, and they'll say,
Hey look at him! I'll never live that way.
But that's okay
they're just afraid to change.
When you feel your life ain't worth living
you've got to stand up and
take a look around you then a look way up to the sky.
And when your deepest thoughts are broken,
keep on dreaming boy, cause when you stop dreamin' it's time to die.
And as we all play parts of tomorrow,
some ways will work and other ways we'll play.
But I know we all can't stay here forever,
so I want to write my words on the face of today.
and then they'll paint it
And oh as I fade away,
they'll all look at me and they'll say,
Hey look at him and where he is these days.
When life is hard, you have to change.
