by Mike Rosen
Writing this blog is fun, and challenging too. How can I economize words? How can I fully communicate, share, and convey something reasonably relevant and mildly interesting to the MenLiving audience in as few words as possible? It’s very objective. Can I say that in less? Edit. Revise. Edit. Revise. Be.more.efficient. Must be the runner in me.
The ideas for the blog posts don’t always present clearly as deadlines loom. My laughably-short attention span isn’t my friend in these instances. I often start and stop many ideas and if I’m open and curious an idea eventually bubbles up and one finally did, way too close to the deadline for comfort.
I’ve woven music into many of my posts. Check here, and here if you’ve got time. Perhaps someday I’ll try to fully articulate and encapsulate the impact and influence music has had upon me. For fun I compiled a list of every concert I remember–Date, artist, venue, tour, link to the setlist, etc. It’s a fun resource as live music in particular resonates deeply. It CAN be and often is a very spiritual experience, a shared, communal, unique series of moments in space. Like sunsets, orgasms, and Thin Mint Blizzards, words often fall short in effectively capturing the experience. MenLiving meetings too, never the same experience twice, ever.
It’s not always spiritual, though. Zach Bryan is a very popular, young country artist, I appreciate his youthful exuberance and heartfelt, poignant lyrics. What I don’t enjoy are his equally youthful, exuberant fans screaming every lyric at his shows. Screaming. Every lyric. Right next to my head. The entire time. That wasn’t spiritual, it was annoying AF. Nothing against those fans, enjoy it the way you’d like, it’s not how I enjoy it. Huge expectation error and reality check on Mike’s part.
To contrast, the Ryman Auditorium is a venue in Nashville, Tennessee that has a unique place in both the cultural and musical history of Nashville and the history, influence, and popularity of country music nationwide. Originally built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892, it was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. It’s commonly referred to as ‘the Mother Church’ of country music. Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, anyone who’s everyone. It’s credited as a significant influence on the development and growth of bluegrass music too. The architecture and acoustics create a unique sound and atmosphere that lends to intimate performances. The original pews create a living museum, it’s an amazing space. When I imagine the thousands of stories of the people who’ve sat there before me I’m filled with awe. Kelly and I had each wanted to visit and in June 2022 we finally did.
We bought tickets for a Saturday show despite not being familiar with the artist. Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors were playing four consecutive nights–they must be somewhat good to be there that often, right? A cursory toe dip into his music the week prior via Spotify. Hmm, cool voice, catchy tunes, could be good. Let’s do it! Turns out it was Drew’s 40th Birthday weekend and he wanted to celebrate with four nights at the Ryman.
We found our seats, the stage was partially lit and otherwise empty except for four stools. Cue the lights, Drew and his wife Ellie walked out and he thanked us for coming to his birthday party. He was gracious as he explained how he invited two friends to help him celebrate, would we mind giving Vince Gill and Amy Grant a round of applause? I’m sorry, who?! For those unfamiliar, you can read more here and here. Suffice to say ‘Married Country Music Royalty’ is an apt descriptor.
Amy and Vince took the stage to rousing applause and for an hour sang ‘in the round’, each taking a turn. The way the others very subtly blended a harmony or a guitar fill was amazing. One of the songs Vince played was ‘Whenever You Come Around’. As he sang I glanced at Kelly, who was in full blown tears, overwhelmed by it all (in a good way). Listening to that song as I type elicits the same in me–goosebumps and tears of joy and gratitude. 
Suffice to say it was an entirely memorable, joyous night and unequivocally spiritual.
We’ve become big fans of Drew Holcomb and his music and his popularity is rising. We had a chance to meet him last Spring, albeit briefly, before a show at the House of Blues in Chicago. He’s genuine, kind, a committed Dad, and a private pilot too. Meet and greets are still awkward.
One of his songs recently skyrocketed via TikTok. ‘Find Your People’ is a song about precisely that, finding the people who lift you up, who ‘get’ you, and around whom you can be fully you. It’s a catchy tune, I invite you to give it a listen.
He wrote another song last year called “Way Back When”. The template is familiar, a Dad recollecting milestones around his son, noting the rapid passage of time, warmly laughing and wishing things were the same ‘way back when’. The single was released around the time my oldest son Jack was leaving for college, cue the tears.
My Dad passed away a few weeks ago after 82 years, the last decade in declining health. He was dealt a bad hand from the start, one kidney, which served him quite well and much longer than many anticipated. He physically suffered mightily in his last years, more stubborn than stoic, though very rarely with complaint. His passing wasn’t unexpected, it wasn’t tragic, and it’s left me in a place where I need to reconcile all he was to me. He was often very difficult to be around and at the same time I learned many lessons around kindness, love, and loyalty from him.
I’ve been reflecting for a while–what will I take from my Dad? What will I carry forward and what will I leave behind? What will his legacy be to me? How do I finally reconcile some of the ‘not so good’ with the ‘good’?
The last verse of Drew Holcomb’s song “Way Back When” is this:
Pretty soon you’ll be older than me
And I’ll be a part of history
I hope you’ll carry the best of me
From way back when
I know you’ll carry the best of me
From way back when
That’s it right there, from Dad to son. I’ll carry the best of you Dad, from way back when. Rest in peace, I love you.
George Rosen, Jr (1942-2025)
Mike Rosen
Facilitator
Mike previously worked in a variety of roles in finance, business development, and project management. Unhappy, he changed careers and became a teacher in 2012.
