Inspiration Part I

Several weeks ago, my wife Elizabeth and I went to the Somerville Theater to listen to Marc Cohn, a singer-songwriter well known for his tunes Walking in Memphis, Silver Thunderbird, and True Companion.  Beth and I have been big fans of his since 1991.

So what does this have to do with inspiration, you ask.  Over the past 15 years, I have become a big fan of the stories behind how people achieve.  What drove them to do what they do.

When we saw him in concert in February, Marc Cohn shared with the audience the story behind his debut album titled Marc Cohn.  It was 1985 and he was struggling in New York City as a singer-songwriter.   He was reading a copy of Musician magazine which featured an article by songwriters who were suffering writer’s block.  James Taylor, a huge musical influence on Marc, suggested that a trip to new places was key.  Opening yourself to new people and places was very helpful to Taylor; so Cohn books a few trips including one to Memphis, Tennessee–the home of blues.

While in Memphis, Cohn visited Graceland and the church where singer Al Green is the pastor.  But what really makes an incredible impact on Cohn is a night at the Hollywood Cafe, a small diner on Highway 61 in Mississippi.  There he meets Muriel, a 65 yr old teacher moonlighting as a singer.  Over the span of a few hours, Cohn stays at the cafe listening to Muriel play the piano and sing a number of blues and spiritual songs.  He introduces himself and soon finds himself singing alongside her.

What happened next was magical.  Cohn had lost both of his parents by age 12 and as you can imagine those events had a profound influence on his life.  Muriel whispers in his ear and basically tells him he needs to move on about his parents and get on with his life.  By the way, Cohn did not tell us what Muriel said to him during the concert–as you can imagine it must still be a very emotional topic for him to share.  Check out Songfacts for all the details.

Well, Cohn finally leaves the Hollywood Cafe very early that morning and immediately flys home.  Soon he is creating the songs that led to him winning the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1991.  Before his album came out, he went back to see Muriel to play his songs for her.  She told him, “Play that one again with my name in it, I like that one the best!”

So, a young Jewish man from New York City opens his heart to an elderly African-American woman in a Mississippi roadside cafe–they come from so different worlds–but worlds bridged by music.  Cohn realizes his life’s dreams by lowering his emotional defenses and allowing  Muriel to help him heal. A very powerful relationship was borne.

I have written about this story–not because I like Cohn’s music but because it is a wonderful example of one person enabling another’s success.  Much like coaching.  I like to tell my athletes and students (and my daughter too) that “asking for help is a sign of strength not a sign of weakness.”  Cohn in his own way that night asked for help.  Muriel answered his call.

In Inspiration Part II, I will tell my story of inspiration regarding the creation of the Institute and those who have inspired me.