2011 NAHU Leadership Conference...and "The Star Spangled Banner"

A couple months ago, I was helping to prepare for the Alabama Association of Health Underwriter's Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.  As part of the program of events, I was asked to use some of my musical contacts to acquire a group to perform "The Star Spangled Banner" to help get things going.  I contact my old high school and their band director was more than happy to get a small contingent together to play a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem.  However, day two would have no such pomp and circumstance and it was requested that I provide a solo version on my trumpet.  I was more than happy to oblige.  I prepared and did well.
Apparently I had done well enough that the main coordinator of the conference contacted the person in charge of setting up the Region 5 & 6 Leadership Conference which was to be help in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The next thing I know I am taking my local chapter President-Elect status and my musical abilities to New Orleans to kick off the conference there.  Needless to say I was both flattered and little nervous.
People are always amazed that I still get nervous after all my years of playing.  I'd be scared to know what it would feel like NOT to be a little nervous.  I feel nerves enhance what we do and show a deep level of concern that we really want to put our best out there for others to see.
This conference would be a combination of the two things I feel very strongly about...music and my abilities as a health and life insurance professional and an up and coming President of the Birmingham Association of Health Underwriters.  My rendition was well performed and well received.  When the cheers and thanks died down, I was in full "learn mode" so I could capture all I could from other NAHU leaders from all over the Southern US.
Feel free to check out the few pictures from the conference I loaded below:



Let me tell you what struck me the most that many of you reading this can relate to:
1 - No matter how much we believe in something, it's only until others give that positive experience feedback that we make a difference. Have you ever been a part of something and felt like you were the only one who really cared about what was going on in the group?  Have you ever tried to get others involved, only to be summarily turned down and made to feel that what you were doing was essentially a waste of time?  It's kind of like that with NAHU/AAHU/BAHU.  Until others hop on the train we won't truly see that together we can do something special for ourselves and our clients in our insurance industry. The rules apply to any group or organization.
2 - There will always be naysayers.  Don't fight their arguments, build your own beliefs and let them be heard.  They are everywhere.  The people who say, "No" and "Waste of time and money" and my favorite..."What's in it for me?" We all have those people in our work or our organizations.  While we look for solutions, they sit by idly and just fold their arms and grunt.  Forget them.  Get a plan and some people who will help you and watch the naysayers either hop on or disappear.  Either way is a better way.
3 - Some expect to just be entertained.  Do you really learn anything and make a difference by just watching?  Nope.  Last I checked life was not a spectator sport.  Neither are the things that matter to us.  If we want what we do to be viewed with importance and have a sense of excitement to it, then WE have to get going.  We can't just expect to "sit and get".  In fact, what you find many times is that those who have the "What's in it for me?" mentality would make great additions to a project or idea even they might have.
So, thank you for the invitation.  It may have been to provide a rendition of our National Anthem, but I got much more out of it that I hope I can take and use now and for years to come.
My question to you is this...would you like us to help each other?  Maybe you have an idea or a need and you're having a tough time getting your head wrapped around to starting it.  Contact me and I'd love a brainstorming session.  It doesn't even have to be about insurance.  Anything at all and we can get a ball rolling that may change lives and attitudes for the better.  I'd love to be a part of it if you'd like me to be. I'm always a phone call (205-370-8453) or an email (gene@generamsay.com) away.

Christina Aguilera and Super Bowl "Whoopsie"...My Take

OK, I have been asked by countless people my thoughts on the Christina Aguilera "boo boo" while she sang the National Anthem before the Super Bowl.  I've been asked by football fans, friends, and even had debates with my professional musician friends.  I hope to answer everyone here and put a period at the end of this "mishap".

 - I will state this before I begin...in preparing to write this I asked some others their thoughts on it.  The majority had no idea she even missed a note and most enjoyed it.

First let me say I am a professional musician, I am a football fan, and I do believe that Christina Aguilera is a vocal talent like no other today.  With that said...let me address the basic question and answer.

The question always approaches me simply..."So, what do you think about the Christina incident at the Super Bowl?"  My simple answer is that I completely and totally back her and her performace of the National Anthem.  Now, when I gave that opinion freely to some friends of mine I was asked if I was crazy.  So I re-evaluated my stance.  After carefully considering the possible angles of how people viewed this I still came to the same overall conclusion...she did a great job and I'm very proud of her.  Now I will explain.
I was looking forward to hearing her sing since I first got the news she had been asked to.  It was going to be a highlight for me for Super Bowl Sunday.  I will say, as she started I saw something in her eyes that told me this could go wrong (almost "deer in the headlights"), but as she started to sing I felt myself right there with her cheering her on.  Each note came out in perfect Christina style and I appreciated her interpretation.
 - Let me pause for a second to address the "purists" who beat her up so mercilessly online.  I get your point.  You want to hear the "Star Spangled Banner" in it's purest and most legitimate format.  Some of you even suggested taking singers out of it altogether and just have a combination of the military bands play it with the pride and power we know they can.  I get it.  I play military funerals all the time and to "jazz up" Taps would be a travesty.  However, in this venue and on this stage of the Super Bowl and the person singing being considered...you knew it was coming.  Don't act shocked and please don't beat this amazing talent up for her creativity and her ability...which is far superior to most anyone making the negative comments.  Leave armchair quarterbacking to the football game and leave the musical talent alone.
Now, back to my post.  By the end of her rendition I was in tears, as were many on the sidelines and in the stands.  I feel she did her best job and I was happy for her.
Then the posts started and the media latched on to her "whoopsie".  It was at this point I had no idea myself that she had even messed up.  That tells me one thing...she was in the middle of the grandest performance of her life...she missed lines...and still sang with the passion and power the song deserved.  Lesser artists would have bailed on the live stage or started over.  So, I replayed the video that was posted and sure enough..."O'er the ramparts we watched were so galantly streaming" had been replaced by a mix of words that really did not belong together.  I heard it and I thought immediately, "Hmmm, even the best can get a little emotion boggled in a big moment."
However, the media was less than kind and they continued to smash her for her "mistake".  The more they picked, the more upset I got.  Here's where my musical education background and love for people who truly love and appreciate music came out.  I backed her even more, and here's why:
1 - She sang it LIVE.  She did not rely on a recording for "safety".  Those who would compare previous Super Bowl Anthem performers have no comparison because it's not there.  In fact...ACCAPELLA and LIVE.  Double whammy few could even boast wanting to attempt.
2 - She dressed with class and humility.  We have all seen Christina migrate into her "Diirty" girl persona.  Even her songs lend themselves to being less than worthy of even a primetime spot.  However, she chose an understated black suit...no bling (except on her shoes).  This tells me she honored her position and what she was asked to do.  It also tells me that she was telling the world, "It's not about me".  Who can't appreciate that?
All-in-all, she was great.  Sure, she needed to acknowledge her mishap, but her response was just what I felt it would be.  She stated she got caught up in the moment and lost her place.  So, my third reason is...
3 - She acknowledged her flub and had the most legitimate and reaosnable reason any of us could hope for.  Being a musician, I TOTALLY understand that.  Again, when I play Taps at a graveside I get one shot to honor the fallen.  Lots can go wrong and there are variables even the most seasoned could not be ready for.  Stuff happens in live performances.  For those who want to beat up Christina, go on over to youtube and search for JFK Taps.  One man...military and professionally trained musician.  Largest stage of his life.  24 seemingly simple notes.  He splits one and people call it "emotion".  OK...then let's use the same logic people.
I looked at this from every angle and from every position I could.  I still end up standing right next to Christina and thanking her for a gutsy job well done.  Had I been right there I may not have even heard the mistake even then, but had I...I would have been right there to tell her, "It's OK...it happens."
That's my take on Christina and I can't wait to hear her sing again anywhere and anytime.

If you missed it, here she is...doing her best...