A Thanksgiving Message Every Musician Needs to Hear

Thanksgiving is a natural moment to pause, breathe, and look back at the things that truly matter.

But if you're a musician, singer, or performer, there’s something we often forget to acknowledge. Something that’s quietly shaping our lives every single day.

We have more to be thankful for than we realize.

In a world where gigs can be stressful, gear breaks down, schedules get overwhelming, and self-doubt creeps in, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s right in front of us.

This week, I want to share a simple reminder with you. One that changed my perspective and continues to keep me grounded.

Music is a gift. And the chance we have to share it is a gift, too.

Thankful for "The Music"

If you're anything like me, music has walked with you through just about every chapter of your life.

• On the best days, we turn to music.
• On the worst days, we turn to music.

Sometimes we sit down at our instrument not to practice, not to create a masterpiece, but to breathe. To process. To feel like ourselves again.

That alone is worth gratitude.

We’re the lucky ones. We found music early. We were exposed to it. And because of it, we’re better human beings than we would’ve been otherwise.

Thankful for "The Emotional Connection"

One of the most incredible things musicians forget is how deeply we impact other people’s lives. Even when we don’t realize it.

A few years ago, I had two different people recognize me in a voting line. One remembered me from my old band, and another from a completely unrelated band. They had both seen shows, both had fun, and both simply wanted to say something.

Another time, I was recognized in an airport at 5 AM while holding my child, waiting for our early morning flight.

The airport was 2 hours away from my home and someone still walked up and said, “Are you Danny from that *** band? We love you guys!” I had never met the woman before that morning.

We don’t always see it, but our music creates memories people carry with them.

• We lift people up.
• We give them an escape.
• We help them feel something real.

And that is worth being thankful for.

Thankful for "The Community"

Music introduces us to people we never would’ve met otherwise.

• Bandmates become family.
• Venue staff become friends.
• Sound techs, bartenders, servers, owners... They all become part of our circle.

I feel incredibly lucky to play in a band with over 30 regular members. That’s not very common. And it’s not something I take for granted.

When you’re a musician, you are never as alone as you think.

There is always someone who understands your world.

Thankful for "The Stage"

Not every musician gets the chance to perform.

But you do.

Whether it's:

• A wedding
• A bar gig
• A school show
• A livestream
• Your living room
• Or a massive stage

The stage is a privilege. A microphone is a privilege.
People listening to you... that’s a privilege.

Never forget how special that is.

Be Thankful for the Chance to Inspire Others

As performers, we never know who’s watching, or who we’re impacting.

For me, that hits home when I think about my kids. I never wanted to force music on them, because I knew they needed to find their own love for music.

Now, I am seeing my oldest pick up trumpet and ask how to play some of the songs that I perform live with my bands.

I consider myself very lucky.

Last weekend, a young boy came up to me during the show. He stood directly in front of me watching me sing, dance, and play the keys, totally in awe, song after song. I decided to invite him up and pointed at a single note for him to play while I did the rest. At the end of that song, I asked the audience to give a big round of applause for our "Guest Keyboardist" and they erupted in applause for the little boy. His confidence was so high after that, and he even offered to "fill in" for me again if I needed him. 

That's the kind of confidence we can inspire in young budding musicians and performers.

But this extends beyond the next generation of kids...

• We inspire older adults learning music later in life.
• We inspire our peers.
• We inspire strangers who see us on stage and think, “Maybe I can do that too.”

Our musical journey has the power to ignite someone else’s.

This Thanksgiving, Remember

Wherever you are in your musical journey…

Whatever you’re struggling with…

Whatever goals you haven’t reached yet…

Remember this...

You have a gift.

You have music.

And the world is a better place because you are willing to share it.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.

You’re doing better than you think.

And you have so much to be thankful for.

All the best,
Danny