Ivan Wilson is a friend and co-worker from the Kraft Food's days.
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This is one of three stories about guitar players.
Joey Stilley, Bud Castle, and Tony Bass were the account managers. They were great at setting up the promotions, Ivan and I followed through at store level. Ken Johnson was our boss. Red Food was rolling at the time. We were good at our jobs and loved what we were doing. We worked hard, and still managed to have fun and laugh alot. Ken gets alot of credit for setting the tone, and giving us all room to do our job. He believed in us. He was also the first one with a big laugh. And, when we deserved it, he picked at us pretty good.
As much as Ivan worked, he still played his music every chance he had.
Fast forward...In the spring of 2022, Terri and I were getting ready to celebrate our 34th anniversary. Chattanooga is close to home, has plenty to do, and should make a nice getaway. Hotel reservations, made. Now what to do.
I called Ivan. He still lives in Chattanooga. The years have passed quickly, and it was good to hear his voice. We updated each other on what all is happenning in our lives, then I asked him about Chattanooga, and our anniversary weekend. He had some good ideas. He said he was retired from the food business, and was now playing music at night and on the weekends.
...link to a recent video of Ivan with the Courtney Daly Band.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=973339743051861
Ivan said he plays in the band on the river boat a couple of nights a week, and at Puckett's Restaurant, downtown, at least couple of nights a week.
He said, "I love it. I was born to do this."
We took some of Ivan's advice. We checked into our hotel, a few blocks from downtown. A light rain cooled things off, and we left to get on the Southern Belle River Boat. The evening cruise went east toward the Amnicola highway, and dam. The homes, golf courses, wild life, and people fishing and kyaking were plenty to look at. At the turn around, and all the way back, the sunset was beautiful.
When we got off the boat, we headed to Puckett's. It was a short ten minute walk, and there were people everywhere enjoying a nice summer evening. The restaurant was crowded, so we sat at the bar. The live music was awesome. We ordered chicken tenders, fries, and a couple of cokes. Ivan played guitar, and sang the lead vocals. The picture above is Ivan covering "Main Street", by Bob Seger. It was a wonderful night.
He recognized us, and came over at their next break. He was totally in his element. We had the best visit. Ivan knows how to entertain and work the crowd, and sing and play guitar.
His words from a month or so earlier..."I was born to do this," came back to my mind.
Pretty sure I have never heard anyone except Ivan say this. It was a powerful moment, with a dear friend.
I took what Ivan said as kind of a challenge. We should all keep pushing, stretching, and reaching for whatever it is that we are supposed to do.
Not sure what your "thing" is? What did you dream about when you were young? What do you day dream about now?
Get back to it. Take lessons. Join a class. Volunteer. Maybe your talent is helping, or teaching someone else. You might succeed, you might fail. At least you won't look back and think, I wish I would have tried.
Hopefully you will find that "thing." Something that gives you satisfaction, and peace. You may feel, if only for a moment, you were born to do this.