|
4 years ago, I
decided to hang up my flutes as a recording artist for a very long,
indeterminate time.
When I received a Grammy in recognition of the
quality of my work with Native music over the past 12 years, a small
spark was ignited in me to play again one day as an artist, but I just
didn't feel the motivation.
On September 11,
2001, that motivation was changed. When I arrived in New York, shortly
after the attacks, and heard a person listening to my music, I
realized that maybe, just maybe, some good could come of my playing
again. I love to play and compose music, but had felt guilty for
enjoying doing so for quite some time. This is why I've not recorded
any music for myself in nearly 4 years. Everything I've composed has
been for someone else, with their name on the cover of the project,
and I've tried to stay in the background of those projects. Some of
those endeavors have been very successful. Others haven't.
Nevertheless, this song represents the first composition written for
me, by me, as a solo artist in nearly those 4 years.
When I was asked if
I'd be interested in performing for the Olympic Torch Ceremonies in
Tooele, Utah, it sparked inspiration like I've not had in a long time.
I thought about what the torch meant to me, and what it might mean to
others. I thought about the fact that the Olympics, prior to 9/11,
meant commercialism, elitism, and segregation of the social classes.
After 9/11, that view
changed. I realized that the Olympics, for all it's faults, stands for
so much more than the money and elitism that accompany them. They
stand for believing in something greater than the wonts of a person or
group of persons. The Olympics stand for achieving life-ling dreams,
for reaching higher than anyone else, and for bringing people together
in the worst times of conflict. Even in war years, athletes put aside
their political differences to come together to all attempt to achieve
the same thing; a higher level of human spirit. This spirit is what
motivates us, whether it's motivation to jump higher, run faster, or
simply improve our lives. Or improve the lives of those we love.
The flame of the
Olympic torch symbolizes (for me) the eternal hope that mankind
carries. Only hope gets us through some things. Only hope, combined
with faith, whatever that faith might be in, will carry the day in
light of events like 9/11. Hope that burns eternally in all mankind.
Hope for a better day, a better tomorrow, and a better future for our
children. The torch inspired me to write this song. I've included
elements of Tooele County that I hope all can appreciate. This place
is a diverse country, with many cultures represented here thanks to
the military, indigenous, and migrant populations. Utah's largest
county with the fewest inhabitants per square mile, it's filled with
geological, educational, historical, and spiritual diversity. But one
thing binds the 5-fingered humans of this place together. Hope.
Simple, unequivocal, hope. Hope begets love, friendship, and unity.
I pray that this
composition might well represent these wonderful people amongst whom I
live, that it might well represent "This Burning Hope" that
I believe we all carry.
God bless us all,
Douglas Spotted Eagle
February 6th, 2002
Stockton, Utah
|