Musical Freedom

Greetings! In the 80s MTV followed the pattern of radio stations and repeatedly played popular videos in short intervals. I became keenly aware of this one long night while I was trying to stay awake in Lawton, OK. I felt like the video music channel played a George Michael video, every hour, with I Want Your Sex being played the most. At the time, I was far from a George Michael fan. I didn't care for his solo work or for the music of Wham! As a teenager, I saw fit to remain true to the heartland rock genre, like the music of John Mellencamp.

The repetition of videos that one night, though, had an impact on me. I became a "secret" George Micheal fan. I kept that secret for decades. I listen to George Michael's music a lot while running, with Freedom! 90 being a favorite selection for speed workouts. In 2008 George Michael's Twenty-Five Live tour came to Atlanta. I felt that as an adult it was time to break free. I asked a friend to purchase tickets for us, as Shannan and I were traveling the weekend the tickets went on sale. My friend bought the tickets and much to my dismay, she revealed my secret to many of my co-workers. I came through the exposure with my soul untouched. Moreover, Shannan and I really enjoyed the concert.

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, thank you for the music and the memories.

Enjoy Freedom. Run.

Tom