Sting and The Empty Chair: A Story of Emotion, Music, and Inspiration

Salut Les Amis! Today I am sharing with you, the story of one of the best Saturday’s of my life! The day I met STING! 😀 

With over 17 Grammy nominations, Golden Globe awards, four Academy Awards Nominations, Classic Rock and Roll Honour Awards, BRIT Awards, Billboard Music Awards, BMI London awards, it is hard to imagine a more celebrated artist in the music industry. Often referred to as the musician’s favorite musician, Sting has been the epitome of creativity since his early days as a frontman for The Police in 1985 winning the song of the year with “Every Breath You Take”.

I remember listening to Desert Rose and Fields of Gold when I was 8 years old. There was just one channel on TV that played English songs all through the day. And sometimes, you could request your song too! Such thrill! I clearly remember being glued to the television and have Desert Rose come on and feel the warmth in Sting’s voice. Ever since, there have been phases of my life where I have exclusively listened to Sting’s albums. With 15 Albums as a solo artist and 5 chart topping albums with his band, The Police, there is just so much to uncover and just marvel at the creativity of a single human.

Currently on tour with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra, Sting has sold out every show on the tour with ticket prices going upwards of $500 for a single seat, there was no question of me attending the show.

So how did I run into him 2 blocks away from my apartment? Here is the story!

The Free Library of Philadelphia has a series of Author Events scheduled throughout the year. One such event was a book release event for author Diane Foley, co-founder of the James W Foley Legacy Foundation. Diane began her work with the foundation merely weeks after her son, American Journalist was executed by members of ISIS. Diane has since worked with Congress and every presidential administration since to develop policies and win freedom for US nationals wrongfully detailed or held hostage abroad. In a collaborative effort with Colum McCann, Diane has released her story as a book titled, American Mother.

A documentary film based on the life of the investigative journalist James Foley has also been released in 2017. It is for this film, that Sting has written the song “The Empty Chair’. The Empty Chair has been nominated for the 2017 Academy Award for Best Original Song. With so many worlds colliding from storytelling, investigative journalism and the highest level of musicianship, this event was one of the most unique events I have attended this year. Towards the end of the event, Sting graced the audience with a stellar performance of the song, “The Empty Chair”. Every single person in the audience was moved to tears and everyone fell silent after the song had concluded.

As a musician and creator, the story of Sting writing "The Empty Chair" for James Foley's documentary underscores the power of music to convey deep emotions and connect with significant narratives. It emphasizes the potential for my art to contribute to meaningful causes or stories, providing a platform for social impact. Learning to intertwine your creativity with broader human experiences, allowing your work to resonate beyond entertainment.

Ultimately, striving to create art that not only showcases your talent but also carries a profound and resonant message, fostering a lasting impact.

I caught a brief glimpse of Sting as he was leaving for his show at The Kimmel Center and with his signature framed and hung from my wall, it will consistently remind me to create music to serve a purpose far beyond self-satisfaction or fame or any of the superficial things.

Hope you guys have a good week! 😊

Quote of the week 🍀

Current Favorites! ❤️

Book: American Mother - reads alternately like a thriller, a biography, a mystery, a memoir, and a literary examination of grace.

Podcast: Krishnamurthy - All Episodes

Album: Everything Yes - EP 2

Hope you are having a good week! See you on the LiveStream on my YouTube Channel on Saturday, March 16 or Sunday, March 17. 😄