There Was A Time (Downtime)

From the floor of the front room the only way to look was up. Getting up and out was another thing entirely. I had no momentum, no energy, no hope. I think the things that were falling away were the things I thought essential. But in fact, I had set up a crutch system. My psyche both clung and rebelled. This was the hardest time of my life. I had to get out to grow, And of course I could not see how. Somewhere in the back of my mind the phrase “baby steps” from a favorite film replayed quietly. No one knew how bad it was. I wasn’t communicating – I was non-functional and I only subliminally cared. I left my relationship, my mother died, I faced financial collapse, I spoke to no one and knew it was left to me to figure out – if I could choose to do so. The pain of loss seemed unbearable. Time passed incessantly. The creativity of my spirit no longer soared. To say it was grounded is an understatement. An idea began to burgeon in my thought. A change in the dynamic I had designed? A change in the tumbling spiral I had experienced? At the bottom of the spiral I wanted out altogether. But then the truth occurred to me:...... CHOICE REMAINED...... I can’t remember how long I lay in state. But I know I eventually found myself in front of my $125 out-of-tune piano. And I began to play. It’s pretty much all in there – in the songs. After a month or so, I began to walk outside with my melodies accompanying me. I left a tape of music with a pastor who sent a mentor my way. He told me I was on to something and to keep going. I put an ad in the paper for some other music makers. They came, we played, and the recognition of how I was going to get back to my life of music evolved. Join me now in the “Living Life Café.” Bring the gift that is you and let the process of choice begin again.

People keep asking me to tell the story. It would be impossible to tell without mentioning some inspirational characters like...T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Reed, Keith Jarrett, Bob Dylan, Chris Botti, Michael McDonald, Gato Barbieri, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison,Santana, Sting, Bono, Joe Satriani, Michael Garrison(lived next door) and more. The Gipsy Kings. Motown. But none of that would have meant a thing if I hadn't decided to try. To make music from the melodies in my brain. And then a trip to the midwest with my friend Kaye, allowed me to meet Eddie Stovall from the 'World Famous Platters". What a source of encouragement he has been. Along with Damon Freeman also from that group. Damon is gone now as are Michael and Jason and Stephen (my brothers), but we work on with the help of some 50 musicians who have participated in our open-door policy. Next project..."The Living Life Cafe."

What was I thinking? PLAY

Ode to New Orleans PLAY

Rise Up PLAY

ALBUM

C.C.Porter

Artwork by Bobbie Laine
Photography by Gia Jensen