When people experience art, they often make comments such as, “how talented, how knowledgable, or how gifted.” These things are only a small part of what real art is about. Art is at it’s very center a matter of giving.

The very thing that most people hold in the highest esteem is often given very little thought. One flips a switch and there is music. Turn on a computer and you have a cacophony of images. Walk through one of the big chain stores and you will find hundreds of reproduced images waiting to take up space on your wall. Never thinking about the fact that at some point an artist had given of themselves.

Technology, a blessing and a curse. On one hand it provides a venue for artist to reach more people, however what reaches them is only a reproduction of what was created in life. The fix for me is simple, I shut the system down and go find some live music.

This journey often starts with a phone call to Leroy June, front man for the Whisky Brothers blues band. A question like “what sounds good?” Is more often than not answered with comments like “man you need to go hear Jones, at such and such, or my friends band Stonewall is playing and they have some new stuff.” Yes that is what real musicians are about... the music and not just their own.

More often than not you will find me at an open-mic, or jam. One of my favorite sessions takes place on Thursdays at the Hitching Post in Lapeer. Here Leroy and his band change out to give anyone that wants to play, their moment on stage. The result is always new. Sometimes a perfect blend with everyone on stage playing off the energy of the other players. At other times things are less than perfect, but that is okay too as the next song holds the promise of a perfect moment, one that will never happen again. This is the magic of live music, you have to be there to experience it.

When the band goes on break at this type of event the quaility of the night is not lessened, but rather changed. Food, drinks, and conversation become the focus. Creativity always present, is now played out in stories punctuated with laughter and an openness that invites one to cross that line from spectator to participant. Players exchange jokes and misadventures like children with trading-cards. Information too is shared with an openness that is only born of an honestly giving nature. The price of admission? Free, of course, just leave your ego at home and enjoy the night.

For some musicians, the music is simply a byproduct of a creative life. These gifted artist infuse their lives with a creative energy that engulfs their whole world. They put a small amount of music in everything they touch. Leroy June exemplifies this in his business and in his interactions with the people he meets.

A trip to Leroy’s shop, June’s Upholstrey might yield a demonstration of one of his custom built tube amps. Yes, I have to say it, they are a musician's dream. These amps are built to the highest standards with tongue and groove cabinets, the finest custom upholstrey to house the best of electronics. You might also get to check out a hand made guitar that will have you wanting to trade your old Fender Stratacaster for, or maybe try your hand at building your own. Leroy never fails to encourage someone to try something new.

Out in the main upholstry shop you will always find Leroy and his brother Scott working on something new. It might be a new design for speakers for a Harley Davidson dresser. One of his clients might be there to discuss the idea of embroidering an original image onto a jacket, or stool for that matter. Depending on what is on the adgenda, it could be anything from a one-off hot-rod or the exact restoration of a vintage Cord for a concourse car show.

If you keep you eyes open you will be able to see the same care and quaility going into the objects that are being made, that go into one of Leroy’s perfectly crafted riffs on the guitar or harmonica. The attention to detail is always there. The creativity flows and is never limited to only one aspect of his life.

Hands well practiced seem to move without thought, while he carries on a conversation. You begin to wonder if another part of his brain is off somewhere else contemplating another project. You dismiss the idea, but it lingers. Perhaps you are right. Maybe, just maybe that is what makes an artist.

I look across my studio at my own June-Boy amp and fender guitar, and tell myself that I should write something else. I have known Leroy all my life. I should say something about all the musicians he has inspired and the bands he has helped. I know it is important that I talk about the fund raisers we have worked on together, using our art to help others. I also know that if Leroy was here he would say give it up Tin Man and just go play your damn guitar.

-Tin Man