Dipping my toes into the music industry pool for what has been a couple decades now, I have come to realize two things.
First, that pool can turn into a cesspool in the blink of an eye. All the dreams that were about to come to fruition can suddenly vanish without a trace. Secondly, artists are the most passionate and persistent people on the planet.
I recently had a chance to interview Donnie Vie, a power pop legend that has made his home in the south suburb of Blue Island ever since his legendary band Enuff Z’Nuff started making waves in the late 80’s. As we spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the music industry, there was some frustration expressed, but his overall vibe was one of hope and optimism. Vie was keeping himself busy making new music as a solo artist. As he was getting ready to release a song called “Party Time,” he sounded like a hungry young kid anticipating rock stardom. Donnie Vie recently turned 56 years old.
It’s funny, musicians and the entertainment industry have been one of the hardest hit by this pandemic; yet, they seem to be some of the most inspired and hopeful.
Hearing Donnie Vie excited about his future endeavors, and seeing so many of my musician friends being productive in spite of their dire predicament, has inspired me to lift my chin a bit higher. I may have summarized this summer as daunting and dismal before this interview, but Donnie made me realize that even though the sun shines on all of us, it shines a bit brighter on those with hope.
