Over this weekend, I went to a wedding for a good friend of mine. This person is a fellow creative I’ve known for over 25 years, and his career trajectory is pointing up. He was marrying a wonderful woman who we think the world of, and the ongoing theme they were telling us about in preparation mirrored what I think anyone who is getting married understands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are certain parts of a wedding that are important to people. Some people spare no expense with the photograph. Some want the fairytale setting. My man was concerned with one thing: the music. He wanted the music to be on point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his line of work, and among his friend group, he’s met a ton of musicians and music business people. It is a testament to him that these people respect him and happen to show up when he calls for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, the night before the wedding, after the wedding rehearsal, he invited us over for pizza and record playing. 18 hours before the wedding was scheduled, we went over to his house to kick it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We walk in, and he’s introducing us to people, some of whom I remember, some I don’t, and I notice one cat is standing at the record player, clearly in charge of it and playing from a thick stack of records. My man introduces him. I won’t say names, but it is a cat whose music I’ve loved for 20+ years. Dude is gracious with the nice to meet you how you doing, and I have to fight my fanboy impulse REALLY hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My friend worked with him in the past, so he knows him, but I had no idea he was showing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We end up sitting for hours, vibing out to great music, DJs by this Grammy nominee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward to wedding day. It’s being held at their house in their backyard. At some point, I idly wonder if anyone else from the roster of artists my friend has dealt with is going to show up. Spoiler: yes. So now there are TWO people whose music I’ve loved at my man’s wedding, and I am starstruck. Two Grammy nominees, and I’m trying not to stare. I’m trying to be cool and not run over and gush, and lose my shit. Gotta play it cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What makes the wedding, besides all of the love, was my man’s focus, which was the music. The DJ he got is internationally known, a Chicago icon – and JUST SO HAPPENS to be a friend of his. And that man rocked for HOURS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we got home. my wife and I were talking, and she said that I bring interesting people into her life. My friend group runs a huge gamut, but at the end of the day, they’re great people. Most of them know people, or are people to know themselves. I didn’t mean for that to happen, it just so happened I found these people, or they found me, and we clicked and vibed and boom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think what’s notable here is not really that the people I know know good people, or famous people, or even semi-famous. I think what’s notable is that these people’s sense of self, of integrity, of being sold people attracts others who see that and want to be around that. I pick well, and my life is richer for it, and I am eternally grateful and thankful. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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