Posted By susanharrow on February 3, 2009

I’ve spent the entire weekend talking on the phone to people I don’t know. I’m hoarse, but happy. My dear friend Charles Veal Jr. died last Friday and people from all over the country are contacting me.

How did they find me?

My E-zine article from 2006 about meeting Charles and Louis Farrakhan at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch here.

It’s been crazy. A woman whose son was friends with Charles called from Alaska. Dozens of other calls came in from people: a friend of Charles’ cousin, a fellow violinist, on and on. My email inbox and phone was packed with people calling to let me know that Charles had died and to tell me about the memorial service. I already knew as composer, producer, mixer, John Ovnik of Deaf Dog Music, who worked closely with Charles on a number of projects, had called me as soon as he found out.

Charles was a renowned violinist who was trained by Jascha Heifetz. Heifetz gave his 15 year-old-student a Stradivarius that had been played by Puccini. Charles played at Carnegie Hall, performed with the Bolshoi Ballet in their American debut and worked with everyone from Linda Ronstadt to Stevie Wonder. Horror Film Director Wes Craven is completing a documentary involving Charles.

Sad as I am I’m so heartened about how Charles created connection in the world, and then how so many of us who don’t know each other can bond instantly by reaching out over the Internet and Social Networking.

Social Networking Tips Learned from Charles Veal Jr.:

I wrote about Charles Veal Jr. and Louis Farrakhan because meeting them moved me. Charles was an amazing mentor. He always said things like, “Lead with love” and “Dream first.” He didn’t care about money or fame, he was all about the music. He connected with people instantly through his pure zest. Kathy Blanchard from Alaska told me that when Charles played at her son John’s wedding Charles came up to her and asked, “Are you John’s mom?” When she said yes he grabbed her hands and started kissing them madly. She said, “I’m just an ordinary housewife. Nobody ever kissed my hands like that before! It was so continental.” Charles knew how to love people directly without pretense. We all have that opportunity. Social Networking makes it possible.

1. Write what you care about.

2. Ignore fame and money.
So much emphasis is placed on making millions and gaining a big name. What if you just let that go for a moment? Jerry Peters, keyboardist, song writer and arranger, and long-time friend who worked with Charles for 37 years, called Charles his mentor–even though Charles was the younger one. Charles gave Jerry the opportunity to arrange classical music and strings — where few, if any, African Americans had before. He believed in Jerry’s creativity and constantly encouraged him to expand and grow. Taking opportunities to play and explore are just as important for tomorrow as counting coins is for today.

3. Pick up the phone.
Sure, I could have just emailed the people who emailed me, but there’s nothing like talking to establish a bond. When you find people you resonate with suggest speaking on the phone so you can establish physical contact. Next step. Meeting in person. That’s true “social” networking. What a concept!

Jack Kerouac said, “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…”

Charles Veal Jr. was mad about music, mad about people, mad about beauty. He burned. Let your madness be your guide to whatever you do and “burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…”

For more info:
See the video footage I took of Charles in studio in Chicago here.
Facebook Memorial Page for Charles Veal Jr.

Category: Social Networking PR
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