Mr Pete has managed to lap us all (again!!) with where his brain goes music-wise — this time music to accompany a purpose. Read on and then… Listen on!
—the editor
A funny thing happened to me this day…
Funny… Ha, ha! Or funny… Ut oh! ??
How about neither or rather kinda duh in a hand slapping forehead way.
I had been studying the Yacht Rock Party mix curated by Mr Pete on Spotify and the CD cover he made — and it struck me that… these are mainstream songs. That’s so NOT Mr Pete. What gives?
Necessito Impromptu Facetime Session…
I had spoken to Mr Pete maybe a week ago and he said he was frustrated. As a result, he decided to change up the concept he’d been building around for an even he was hosting at his community room.
Why?
He said he was tired of trying to explain what Yacht Rock was.
I’ll admit I had a general idea but could not explain it if someone asked me. Surely, I could Google an answer. See it explained here:
Yacht rock is a form of soft rock that is fun and mellow. It should keep people feeling happy and relaxed…
Per CloudCoverMusic.com, Yacht rock is a genre of music made between 1976 and 1984 in Southern California. It is a mellow kind of soft rock that often has a high level of musicality encompassing elements of rock, jazz, and rhythm and blues.
Drilling further down… Typical yacht rock is more musical than lyrical, and it has more electric piano than acoustic guitar. Songs are melodic and smooth — light, bright, and bubbly, much like the champagne that was likely sipped while listening to this music on expensive yachts in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
Got that?
Huh? I thought and then it was like, “Yes, and… ”
Again, I locked into how the playlist was (a) so NOT like me; and (b) so NOT like a Mr Pete curation.
My curious mind had to know… There was something going on and I just wasn’t getting it. I paused to ponder and after a while (maybe a few running sessions), I had an “Aha!”
The slap to the forehead came when I recalled something he said to me…
This is background music for a gathering where I want to facilitate interaction / conversation…
Yes, and…
And I’m tired of hosting events where people come, grab the “free” food, and retreat back to their rooms…
Yes, and…
Between the lines, I realized that what Mr Pete is doing (and has been trying to do pretty much since he arrived at his over 55 community), is create a Third Place-like environment.
Loosely described, a Third Place is a place other than home or work where a person can go to relax and feel part of the community.
The term third place was invented by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and first appeared in his 1990 book The Great Good Place, a celebration of the places where people can regularly go to take it easy and commune with friends, neighbors, and just whoever shows up. The subtitle says it all: “Cafes, Coffee Shops, Community Centers, Beauty Parlors, General Stores, Bars, Hangouts and How They Get You Through the Day.”
Full Circle? Perhaps…
I just happen to know about this concept as I studied it intensely while developing the Jedemi Chronicles — it is what the cafe my stories is supposed to be — Viv’s concept was exactly that. And the Gang that hangs out there embraced that concept and took it to a much higher level.
[BTW… This isn’t supposed to be a shameless promotion, but rather notable as a proof-of-concept. What I imagined in my mind and stories is something Mr. Pete is doing IRL (In Real Life).]
The music… This particular curation of music… isn’t supposed to be an unveiling of some Crate Diggin’ treasures / wonders (as in, “I wonder how he found this?”).
Rather, it is a head bobbin’, energy generatin’, conversation facitatin’, mix for those showing up with a willingness to actively participate.
When they cross the threshold into the room, they will be welcomed into a community experience — and as a group, they can enjoy the soundtrack accompanying their interactions.
I. Get. It.
Again, Mr Pete has managed to lap us all with where his brain goes music-wise — this time music to accompany a purpose.
That’s a Wrap!
I am grateful for such an astute brother. Bro, I get that… being you can be frustrating at times. But please, don’t stop what you are doing.
It is (and will be) appreciated.
Now without further ado, I listen on!
About Mr Pete
A music aficionado, Mr. Pete’s mind and ears have no horizons. He has the uncanny ability to suss out the right song for the right time — a skill that is truly amazing. The Gang here at Jedemi enjoys his contributions.
—30—
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