Once upon a time, the UVA Wise Student Government Association (SGA) would sponsor concerts at the college. During my time, I saw the groups Atlanta Rhythm Section and The Raspberries (showing my age).
Prior to my time at the school, the SGA lined up Rick(y) Nelson to play.
Some of you may recall Rick Nelson from his role on the classic TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and his subsequent teen idol designation (he was the first person that term was used for).
When the SGA booked Nelson for a concert at the college, he was a bit past his prime as a teen idol, and his price was reasonable.
Then came the hit song “Garden Party”.
Rick’s fame rose again with this new song about the frustrations of playing at Madison Square Garden to fans booing him for playing new music. (I encourage you to Google the song and the references to the concert and to Rick’s friends, among them John Lennon and George Harrison.)
A concert event at the college which normally drew a smallish hard-core group of students became a more than sell out event with concerns over crowd size and many people unable to get into the venue.
Sometimes I think about that song and its lyrics (below) when I deal with folks who are hesitant towards change.
I think of the SGA taking a chance on a musician somewhat past his prime. Does the current SGA have that chutzpah?
I ponder on Mr. Nelson’s frustrations with his fans who only wanted to look backwards versus journeying with him into the future of new music.
In life, business, and banking, we sometimes settle for the status quo.
Why make an effort? What if we fail? Why look to the uncertainty of the future when we have the numbing comfort of looking to the past?
As Ricky says “I would rather drive a truck” than be frozen in time.
Stay safe.
– Leton
Garden Party Lyrics – Rick Nelson
I went to a garden party
To reminisce with my old friends
A chance to share old memories
And play our songs again
When I got to the garden party
They all knew my name
No one recognized me
I didn’t look the same
But it’s all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see ya can’t please everyone
So ya got to please yourself
People came from miles around
Everyone was there
Yoko brought her walrus
There was magic in the air
N’ over in the corner
Much to my surprise
Mr Hughes hid in Dylan’s shoes
Wearing his disguise
But it’s all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see, ya can’t please everyone
So ya got to please yourself
Lott-in-dah-dah
Lot-in-dah-dah-dah
Played them all the old songs
Thought that’s why they came
No one heard the music
We didn’t look the same
I said hello to “Mary Lou”
She belongs to me
When I sang a song about a honky-tonk
It was time to leave
But it’s all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see ya can’t please everyone
So ya got to please yourself
Lot-dah-dah (lot-dah-dah-dah)
Lot-in-dah-dah-dah
Someone opened up a closet door
And out stepped “Johnny B Goode”
Playing guitar
Like a-ringin’ a bell
And lookin’ like he should
If you gotta play at garden parties
I wish you a lotta luck
But if memories were all I sang
I rather drive a truck
But it’s all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see, ya can’t please everyone
So ya got to please yourself
Lot-dah-dah (lot-dah-dah-dah)
Lot-in-dah-dah-dah
N’ it’s all right now
Learned my lesson well
You see, ya can’t please everyone
So you got to please yourself
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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.
