To be one’s true self is the goal in life. This blog series would not exist if it weren’t for a reunion with an old friend who had all the makings of a modern-day Mozart. But at a pivotal fork in the road, he chose the path behind a desk, instead of one behind a keyboard, which would’ve honored his gift - like Mozart did. Now, 20 years later, he’s unrecognizable, this friend who once had music radiating from every cell, especially when singing in random bursts of happiness. The years have taken their toll - not just in the added 20 pounds that don’t belong, but in the heaviness that comes when living someone else’s life, and not one’s true purpose. The life you came here to live.
As a writer, this inspired me to highlight the special souls who chose to follow their true path. The tougher path, but one that honors and expresses the powerful gift of music they’ve been given. To live the Mozart life. May some of their words help or inspire you to find your true calling in life.
Bertie Higgins’ “Key Largo” was part of the soundtrack of our lives in the 1980s, when it was always on the radio. Although he’s also had other hits like Just Another Day In Paradise,” and “Casablanca,” “Key Largo” what is still on radio as well as on SiriuXM channels such as the popular summertime “Yacht Rock Radio.” The song always evokes the island paradise feel of another place away from life’s realities.
Bertie just finished his 25th album, with the new single “Son of a Beach” garnering some 50,000 hits. He calls it a “cute springtime, summer song” which has been getting some good airplay in South Florida. He’s also done a duet with the Bellamy Brothers, and in a few weeks goes on his 9th trip to China in the last year, where “Casablanca” is the bigger hit over “Key Largo.”
Bertie has produced four movies, one of which starred Tom Sizemore, crediting his friend Burt Reynolds for helping mentor him in that field. He’s now working on a documentary about Bill Haley and the Comets and their sound that changed it all in music. One interesting fact is that Bertie is the great, great grandson of the German poet and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He just completed a rock and roll cruise, and has an upcoming acoustic show in Largo, Fla. on April 10.
How do you find inspiration for the music? Is there somewhere deep within where the inspiration comes from? It’s said that’s when we’re most connected to our true selves, Higher Selves. For example, some of the best songs were written in minutes. What’s your take on that, do you feel that in those inspirational moments you’re most connected to your true self?
I am always connected with my true self. My brain is wired in such a way that I always seem to be “tuned in.”
Are there any songs that came to you in this way? Is “Key Largo” one of those songs that came in this way? I still recall hearing it back when it was on the radio and even now on Sirius, it evokes a simpler life. What was your inspiration for that song? Was the movie part of the inspiration?
This song was inspired by the true love of my life, Beverly. We spend a great deal of time in the Florida Keys swimming in the turquoise water in the day time and watching old black and white movies at night. Bogart was our favorite. We split up and the pain that I went through inspired the song. We got back together with the success of Key Largo, married and had two wonderful boys. We are still married....thirty years now.
Do you have a daily musical process? What are you up to these days?
No, not daily. I wait for the time of attack and when it hits me I begin to write. I often roll around a song idea in my head for a year and when it is time to be born, it rolls out fairly quickly. I always write from the heart and from daily experiences. Lately, I have been knighted, inducted into the Florida Music Hall of Fame, won the folk category in the International Acoustic Music Awards, received the Mozart Music Award from Germany, released my 25th album and spent a lot of time in Mainland China where I have a multiple platinum album, touring and performing on television shows.
When did you know you had this gift of music and how did it manifest for you? How did you start to do the human discipline it takes to channel your gift, hone it, and bring it forth?
I started off as the drummer in Tommy Roe's band and at age 19 the songwriting muse took over and that is when I started work on this craft. So, I picked up a old Martin six string and started banging away. My grandfather several generations ago was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe the German writer who penned “Faust.” Perhaps this is where my lyric abilities derive from. I don't see this process as a form of discipline, it is something that I have to do - no choice. I suppose I was born with not a monkey on my back, but a gorilla and it always beats the hell out of me daily.
There are divine moments of serendipity, where a catalyst opens the door that leads to the path we’re meant to be on, the one where we live out the fullest expression of our true selves. What was that moment for you and how did it happen?
When I wrote my first song, primitive but from the heart. This made me realize that I had a direction in life, and I've been running down that road ever since. I've been bored from time to time on this journey so I co-wrote, produced and acted in four feature films that are now distributed internationally.
What inspired this blog series was seeing an old friend who has a special gift of music, but didn’t choose that path, who, 20 years later, isn’t living the life he thought he would live. People who make music and get to travel the world doing so are a rare example of a life where one is able to honor and channel their gift of music. What are your thoughts? And do you feel you’re consciously living the life you thought you would be living?
Granted, I have seen a great deal of the world - have guitar will travel - however it does get old and tiring from time to time. I suppose that I'm not the only recording artist that complains about the road. I am getting to where I despise hotel rooms and airports and sometimes I'm not sure what town I'm in.
I’ve said in that blog post about living the Mozart life, that it may be a tougher road to choose, but you’re fully living your true selves. Do you resonate to that? You did not choose the 9 to 5 path.
I started off in the 9 to 5 direction at college, but that damned gorilla would not let up. It was frightening to make an about face and choose the more difficult direction, but as I said before, I had no choice. You see, I believe that we are all given gifts by our Creator and if they are not pursued then you risk living a life in misery.
But to embark on this path you chose, was that difficult? Because you didn’t know you would get here.
You have to believe without a doubt in your head.
How did you know that this is your life path, your calling? How does one know when you’re on the correct path?
It is simple, you will be what you think about most of the time. With some talent, a few breaks, the ability to not doubt and continually impressing a clear vision on your subconscious mind then you can achieve what is seemingly impossible and move mountains. To quote my good friend, actor Burt Reynolds, “You must be fearless!”
Life gives us catalysts, a release valve, which often is our lowest point in life, that allows us to push up to the next, hopefully better chapter. Like a desert, wilderness period in life, that helps raise our consciousness and stay true to yourself and your own path. What was that low point for you that helped you push yourself further, evolve and do better, and what did you do when you had that epiphany?
This was the time I moved to Atlanta and wrote “Key Largo.” I literally starved for over a year after leaving my hometown of Tarpon Springs and moved to Atlanta where I knew I had a better shot at achieving my goals. I wrote every day, stayed sober and after 18 months I finally hit. That year was probably the time I was the most depressed realizing that what I wanted so desperately was almost impossible to achieve. But as I mentioned, I was extremely focused both consciously and subconsciously, worked my ass off and my first gold record magically arrived.
It’s been a tough time for music, losing many of its legends. What are your thoughts on time, how it seems to go by faster each year. Perhaps it’s made you reflect on what you want to achieve in the time we’re given here? Do you think about time much and what you want to achieve in the time we have?
I think about time all of the time. It seems that it screams by and there is nothing I can do about it. This is why I still work every day of the week, several hours. I am sure that when I die that I will certainly slide 50 feet or so because I'll still be running.
Unlike any time in history, we’re in a overwhelming digital era. There is so much detritus, noise and schadenfreude. What’s your view on that, and how do you find quiet in this era? What do you do to connect with your Higher Self, your true self? Do you have a day you unplug for example? How do you ground yourself, focus on your own life path and purpose?
I have been living in Burbank, CA now for several years, so when I need grounding then I go home to Tarpon Springs, FL and go diving in the Gulf of Mexico with a spear gun and eat what I kill. I am still focused, so no problem there. I am and have always been a saltwater boy.
I’m a firm believer in doing mitzvahs, especially in the tougher times of our lives. To give back, be of service in some way, to use our time most wisely, can only help us in the end. What are your thoughts and do you try to do your own mitzvahs to help others, even in the smallest way?
One of the reasons I received the honor of being knighted is because of the charitable events worldwide I have participated in. My wonderful father always told me that you must “give back” and I take this very seriously.
What advice do you have for people who have the gift of music, but don’t know how to start channeling it, to develop that gift and bring it out?
If you are living in a small town where there is no opportunity to become exposed to the people who can help you where you are trying to go, then leave. It can be scary, but get out. Perform everywhere you can - pay or no pay. Hang with people that have the same musical interests, the ones that can support you in the down times. Be willing to sacrifice comforts that you have gotten used to and give up all for the music. Most importantly, work your ass off.
What do you do to help pick yourself up when you’re feeling down, and help you stay the course? Is there a song you play that inspires you when you’re needing some inspiration or to pick yourself up?
A couple of shots of Johnny Walker Black and a good Cuban cigar seems to do the trick. I rarely listen to music unless it's Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, Dylan or a damn good lyricist. Listening to a bunch of unimportant music often seems to confuse my writing and leads me down the wrong path.