Thoughts on Amy Winehouse...

I just heard about her passing this morning...
http://npr.org/2011/07/23/138639971/singer-amy-winehouse-found-dead

Another artist passed at age 27. Makes me sad. The specter of addiction has taken so many wonderful people from us.

Recovery has become a spectator sport. Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, Lil' Wayne wearing a "fuck rehab" shirt on-stage, and now Amy Winehouse. We have shows like "Intervention," "Celebrity Rehab," "Sober House" and more that allow us to mock people who are suffering, or simply indulge our own voyeurism. The trainwreck that we simply "can't turn away from."

I wish people understood that recovery is about so much more than simply letting go of our own vices. It's about learning how to really live, perhaps for the first time. It's about learning how to cope with life's ups-and-downs on your own, without a crutch.

Perhaps if humanity's focus was on treatment, healing and reconciliation, rather than on prohibition and incarceration - we might be able to do some good.

For now, recovery remains a haphazard process at based - a process mired by misinformation and superstition, rather than bolstered by biology, science, and rational thought. I don't attempt to downplay the role that 12-step programs have played in my own recovery, but if you think that all addicts will get well through 12-step work alone, you're deceiving yourself.

For now, I leave you with some lyrics to Amy Winehouse's own song, "Rehab"...

"The man said 'why do you think you here'
I said 'I got no idea
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
so I always keep a bottle near'
He said 'I just think you're depressed,
this me, yeah baby, and the rest'

They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know

I don't ever wanna drink again
I just ooh I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
have everyone think I'm on the mend

It's not just my pride
It's just 'til these tears have dried"

-JG

Left Outlet.

This past week I made a very difficult decision to leave Left Outlet.

Ultimately, I think it will be in the best interests of the band, and myself. Tim, Roger and Drew are some of the most talented musicians I have worked with, and I wish them well collectively as a band, and as individuals.

While the band was actively gigging, I had been turning down DJ appearances. I plan to start actively playing out again whenever, and wherever I can. It begins this Friday with my new residency at April & George's on South Glenwood Avenure in Raleigh. I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks again from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me over the years.

Jon G. (DJ FM)

P.S. A re-iteration (07/12/07): I am *no longer* playing with the band, nor am I remixing their material. *I am still doing remixes for local artists if interested.* I know L.O. are still actively playing shows - check their myspace page for updates.