I can’t go 5 steps forward, backward ,to the left, or to the right, without somehow crow barring the art of sound into the conversation. So forgive me this short word about Robert Johnson.

Robert was, still is, and will always be this world’s greatest bluesman. Anybody who knows the blues, had the blues, or will someday suffer from the blues, will know what I’m talking about. For those who don’t yet how Robert was awarded his godlike status:

  • He sold his soul to the Devil.
  • At a crossroad.
  • Deep inside the Mississippi Delta.

Within 10 years, he became a god and then he died. Before he did, he played chops like nobody ever heard or felt before. Music that exposed the soul and all of its nerve endings. Music that flashed so much light on what’s bad, it made you feel good.

Music that changed music by infecting the likes of Zeppelin, Dylan, Clapton, Guy, and Hendrix.

All I’m saying is a Crossroad is a crazy powerful place.

And that’s where all of us Zoners-every one of us-are standing.

We’re at a powerful place at a crossroad somewhere between New Zealand and the US. I arrived at mine sometime in July. After knowing The Richards and Raewyn for a few years, I decided to buy back my soul from the Devil and sell it to them. Now I’m here with you.

Me, you, TimeZoneOne, Chicago, Chistchurch, both our countries, this planet-its all standing at the same crossroad Johnson stood at. And we have, like he had, decisions to make. Interesting, extraordinary, worthwhile, artistic decisions.

Talking about which way we turn is what I’m going to do with my week on the blog. I’m calling this week, “At the Crossroad”.

So walk with me.

Blog Debutant Lor Gold

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