In 2001 I was offered a couple of weeks of shows opening for a happening new songwriter who was getting some buzz on the West Coast. His name was Jack Johnson. Story was he had been a professional surfer and had started a music career almost accidentally, but people were digging it. The rooms were 200-500 seaters, nothing very big, but he seemed cool and I generally say yes to invitations if I can - so my trusted friend/collaborator Lara Meyeratken and I jumped in a rental car and did the shows.
It is an incredible opportunity to get to work in close quarters with a great artist right before they become absolutely massive. You can see the hard work, commitment and magic occurring right before your eyes. We were playing little clubs and Jack was killing it every night. And to top it off he was gracious, positive and polite to everyone he encountered. Lara and I started jokingly calling him "Golden Boy" as he just had the energy of someone who would be successful at whatever he did.
The music was great every night, stripped down, funky and simple and the crowd were having a big experience. It wasn't the feeling of seeing someone with a hit song that was going to take over the world, it was more the beginnings of a genuine CAREER built on integrity and connection with fans.
Now that I've gotten to know about the science of success over the years, the more I can see that Jack was living the method of manifestation - positive mindset, unlimited thinking, kindness, staying cool but being ambitious. I dont know whether this came naturally to him, or was learned, but the way he carried his energy into a room meant that success would be his, sooner or later, in whatever form made sense.
After the tour, his wife Kim even sent us a thank you note - Unheard of in rock n roll! Yes, my grandmother would call Jack and Kim "mensches" had she ever met them.
Jack is the guy of kind I have only felt happy for as his star ascended, as he really modeled for me the possibility of getting to the top without compromise or giving up your basic values. He did it the right way...
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