The life of a musician can be an alluring mystery to those of us who appreciate their music. With erratic work hours, emotional highs and lows and a vagabond lifestyle, most musicians face challenges few of us can truly understand. And, for some of the extraordinarily talented and fortunate, notoriety touches their lives, however, their passion for the music is usually their true motivation.

The artist in every musician has a vision for the creative process and, with commitment, they courageously dare to follow it. Musicians are often misunderstood, but theirs is a journey that must be taken. When the stardust of talent is sprinkled upon them, there is little choice but to pursue the music that burns in their souls, and is expressed through their voices, pens and instruments.

It is their passion, vision, creativity, love and commitment to the music that motivates and fulfills their lives. Music can be one of life's most powerful and enlightening forces. It is often transcends and transports, like a religious experience. It moves, connects, teaches, uplifts and bonds us with its beauty and message. Its mathematical rhythms and beats harken back to primitive man and its evolutionary progression brings us to new levels of human awareness.

The musician can inspire, thrill and even soothe the audience. Like a guru, music can lead us to righteousness, peace and brotherhood in a world that often seems fractured and alienated by culture, race, religion and conflict.

Musicians sacrifice many things in life in order to express their art and speak their truth. They share their music with conviction and love. And we joyfully return this love, because it is a pure expression of our common humanity, our need to connect and our desire for understanding. It is a special love that we feel for those who graciously share their music with us. Musicians truly enrich our lives. And their message and music helps us navigate our own life journey.