Skip to main content

The Courage to Create

In this episode, The Courage to Create . . .

Welcome back to On the Fly. This blog post explores the inspiring collaboration between Elton John and Brandi Carlile on their new album, Who Believes in Angels, using their creative journey to motivate you to embrace courage, collaboration, and the pursuit of extraordinary creations.

There are moments when life whispers invitations to us: "Go on. Create something beautiful." This morning, that invitation arrived through a remarkable new album, "Who Believes in Angels," by Elton John (now 78) and the talented Brandi Carlile. This work has sparked a fire within me. This partnership, characterized by raw and genuine creativity, is both inspiring and extraordinary.

As a lifelong fan of Elton John, I have documented my appreciation for his influence in "Captain Fantastic and The Captain and the Kid." These blog posts explore his extraordinary career and my growth as an artist inspired by his music and impact.

The Magic of Sunset Sound

What resonated most deeply was their story, shared on CBS Sunday Morning, about stepping into the hallowed halls of Sunset Sound studio in Hollywood, CA. Imagine–two brilliant artists working in a space where musical history was made, with nothing but the promise of potential. "Why Sunset Sound?" Elton was asked, and his answer struck a chord: "It's a magical studio. Prince recorded Purple Rain here," among many other incredible recordings. That palpable energy that magic permeates every note of "Who Believes in Angels."

The Alchemy of Collaboration

After more than 50+ years of composing music and releasing 32 studio albums, how does one conjure such beauty from thin air? Let’s call it the alchemy of collaboration, the spark of genuine friendship, and an unwavering belief in artistic expression. This studio album reminds us that extraordinary things happen when we dare to reach for the best within ourselves, embrace the challenge of collaboration, and step into the unknown with courage.

How, you ask? To bring this magic into your life, reach out to someone whose work inspires you and suggest a collaborative project. Share your ideas and be open to theirs, too! The wonderful blend of different perspectives can lead to truly extraordinary creations. The lyrics, ‘I have been there, man I have been there,’ from the song ‘Who Believes In Angels, ' beautifully capture the spirit of courage in challenging times of uncertainty.

Your Canvas Awaits

The future is your canvas, as the past becomes a distant memory, allowing us to craft our masterpieces. Aim high. Let "Who Believes in Angels" serve as your anthem, reminding you that the most exquisite creations often emerge from the most unlikely sources. Embrace the journey, have faith in the process, and continue to believe in the magic of your potential.

Whether your art is music, writing, painting, or how you live your life, remember that you possess the power to create something extraordinary.

Yes–“Even Diamonds look like rocks to the untrained eye.”

Explore new horizons! Why not join a local writers' group, play in a band, or participate in a theatrical production? It's an excellent way to meet other creative souls. Seek collaborators who ignite your passion and believe in the magic that lies within you. Go listen to "Who Believes in Angels." Allow it to awaken the artist within you.

“Tune me into the wild side of life. Each day, I learn just a little bit more. If we’re all going somewhere, let's get there soon; this song has no title, just words, and a tune.”

I’m Patrick Ball. Stay curious; it’s never too late. Swing for the fences and create. See you in the next episode.

Labels:

Comments

Don Hanley said…
A creative idea and the title is: CREATE A NEW TUNE
April 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

Back to School (Without the Triple Lindy)

I hadn’t set foot inside a public library in over thirty years. Last Saturday, when I walked through the sliding doors of the modern County of San Diego branch on Eucalyptus Avenue in Vista, my eyes instinctively scanned the floor for the familiar, comforting sight of varnished oak cabinets and brass pull-handles. Nothing . No card catalog. No little wooden drawers. No rows of index cards typed by someone who presumably had beautiful penmanship and a pension. I walked up to the front desk, looked the librarian dead in the eye, and asked with complete earnestness: "Where’s the card catalog?" She didn’t laugh, though she had every right to. Instead, she offered a warm, dry smile: "We magically had the computer digest it." And just like that, I was enrolled. Not the Rodney Dangerfield kind of back-to-school. No diving board, no loud blazer, no campus party, and thankfully, no need to convince anyone I belonged there. Just an overdue reminder that while I was busy with ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beyond Facts-The Deep Dive

✨ In this episode, Beyond Facts: Reimagining School–in the Age of AI . . .   This week's podcast is a bit different; it's another example of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can offer tools to creatively enhance your analytical presentation of information. We took this week's blog and copied it into Gemini with the question, “If a story is to work, it must, on some level, create an illusion of escape and also achieve a goal simultaneously. Does this apply to my blog post that follows?” What's created is not just an analysis of the writing, but an AI-generated discussion produced “On the Fly” - Enjoy! Did you know that the word "school" comes from the ancient Greek word scholē , which originally meant "leisure"? Not a rigid schedule or droning lectures filled with "facts," but free time for thinking and conversation. To the Greeks, learning happened best when life slowed down—when you had room to reflect, to ask questions, and to wrestle ...
4 comments
Read more

Doc Welch - The Country Doctor

In this episode, Doc Welch . . . Many authors have characterized life in rural Illinois over the years. Among the more notables are Edgar Lee Masters, who wrote Spoon River Anthology, Carl Sandburg for his poetry and biography of Abraham Lincoln, and little known to me until recently, my first doctor, whom everyone in town always called Doc Welch - James K. Welch, M.D.  (Feb. 7, 1915, to May 5, 1998) While exploring the microfilm of the Cuba Journal (published from 1884 to 1992), I consistently kept running across articles entitled The Country Doctor. This intrigued me. Doc Welch was a third-generation practicing Country Doctor in Cuba for over 40 years. His father, James William Welch, M.D., practiced medicine in Cuba for more than five decades. His grandfather, James Knox Welch, M.D., settled in Cuba after the Civil War. Cuba, Illinois, is a small, rural farming community in west-central Illinois, where I grew up. Like many small towns, it boasts a central square with a ban...
4 comments
Read more

The Rhythm of the Woodpecker

The morning in Vista often begins under a heavy, gray marine layer that rolls in from the coast, pressing a damp, muffled stillness over the neighborhood. At 4:30 a.m., the driveways are still full. The local commuters are either blissfully unconscious or stumbling blindly toward their showers, clinging desperately to their last shred of peace before the nine-to-five grind claims them for the day. I, on the other hand, am voluntarily wide awake in the dark. When your agenda consists of absolutely nothing, it is critical to get an early start. Inside the house, the quiet is profound, broken only by the sharp, mechanical click of the kettle as it reaches a rolling boil. I stand at the counter, watching the dark ground coffee bloom as hot water hits the French press's stainless steel. The smell is sudden and heavy—a deep, roasted-earth aroma that cuts through the morning fog. I push against the plunger’s gritty resistance, pouring a cup that radiates dark, stinging heat against my pal...
Post a Comment
Read more