My name is Scott Valentine, I am thirty-one years old and I have been in love with music my whole life.
When I was a toddler, I would accompany my fathers guitar talents by strumming along on the spatula. As I grew throughout my youth I began to notice that I had a talent for mimicry and voice control that eventually manifest itself into original songwriting at the age of twelve with the purchase of my first guitar.
50's and 60's rock n'roll and, in particular the masterful work of the Beatles, became my first real musical obsession. Upon a family vacation to England, I was fortunate that my passions for its revolutionary history were such that my mother scheduled a thorough tour of Liverpool so that I might investigate and witness firsthand the birthplaces and varied inspirations of my heroes.
The return home to Victoria brought me into my awkward teenage years and with it a time of loneliness, torment and despair. Still in spite of the teasing and all of the tears, I found a great friend in the tones of my guitar and the words of my heart. Singing and songwriting became a tool for me to express and understand what was happening to me at the time. It was during this period that I also developed an obsessive affinity for some of the pioneers of rap music who were making great waves and strides in the cultural landscape.
Chuck D of Public Enemy was of enormous influence. His charismatic strength brought many of the issues and struggles associated with racism and inequality to the forefront of my mind and introduced me to many of the heroes of the civil rights movement. The vision of Dr. King and his dreams for the future resonate with me as loudly now as they did when first I heard them and my exposure to this emerging art form helped me to recognize and appreciate how music could be so much more than just a silky voice, a fancy dance routine and a pretty face.
After graduation from high school, I followed the path of my father towards becoming a police officer having always had the desire to somehow make the world a safer and better place in which to live. After receiving my diploma in Criminal Justice it became increasingly clear to me that my true talents lay elsewhere and that creating significant change would require a far different approach to the problems faced by our societies.
As I neared my twentieth birthday, I stumbled across "Ishmael" - a wonderous little book that changed my life and gave me hope at a time when I was having great difficulty finding something good to look forward to. Although I had been writing music since I was twelve with great desire, I could not seem to find a sense of focus or purpose in my creations. Thus I was inspired to send a letter to the author explaining the impact his writing was having on me.
One month later, I received a phone call from him inviting me to join he and his wife at their home in Houston, Texas. I accepted without hesitation and the six months spent there engaged in dialogue and discussion became some of the most cherished and inspired times of my life. Unbeknownst at the time, this experience would also provide me with a great spiritual strength I would rely on to see me through some very difficult times that lay ahead.
Three months after returning home, my only brother, Paul, was killed outside of a late-night fast food restaurant after an altercation broke out over a minor delay in the drive-thru. This was a devastating time for both me and my family as well as for the legions of young people in our community who regarded my brother with such loyalty and love.
While this tragedy is the greatest I have experienced and I hope that I shall not have to endure any more like it, it is indeed a microcosm of the conflicts faced by other human beings throughout the world each and every day. The loss of my brother has given me a strength to share the feelings, concerns, doubts and ideas that I believe many others hold close to their own hearts. This life is the true experience that binds us and music is a wonderful expression that can enable us to help one another make some sense of it all.
Growing up with the revolutionary songs of the past century I feel strongly that music can make a difference in our lives and that a song that is true to the heart can transcend borders and boundaries of every kind.
As time continues forth and experiences further develop our wisdom, I am encouraged that a changed state of mind can, and will, soon be achieved. |
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