Yeah, even though I come from a family of guitar players, I didn't pick it up 'till I was 18, which is considered old to be starting a musical instrument. I'll never forget when I asked a musician (we attended the same performing arts high school - I was an art major) if, at 17, I was too old to get into music. He told me with the super-serious look on his face, "yeah, you're too old".

Good thing I didn't listen to him, though his lack of encouragement affected me for a good while...

JesseDezz said:

That is why I hate to see young people relying on losers, you know they can't do anything but limit you. They get so much discouragement and it's their way of sharing it with you. I've ended many friendships because people could see that they couldn't do that to me. that is one of the reasons why I look at talent like i do, I've been through so many stages myself and still have many to go through. For people to label others especially those who are vulnerable is just meanspirited. I've told people they were too old to learn some of the subtleties of boxing before, but....I always add on, "You can do it, it'll just be harder". Really, none of us are god and we can't say what anyones limits are. Makes me hate shows like American Idol.

Good to see another boxing fan on the org. There are one or two over at General Discussion.

Who 'ya got tonight - Barrera or Marquez? I just want to see it for the skill involved (but I am NOT paying for it). I'll just follow it online. Would've made a great HBO card...

BTW, maxboxing.com has a cool message board. There are a few idiots, but they don't usually last long...

JesseDezz said:

Oh yes, I am an absolute boxing nut, probably would a made a better boxer than musician. I would lean towards Barrera but he's had a really long career, never can tell when that's just going to catch up on a guy. I post over at Sherdog, strictly in the boxing forums, they have great posters in there, I'll check out max boxing too. Pay per view and cable are killing the sport. I can't do anything but read about most fights these days. Thank god I've got a huge video library, which, if i'm not watching music i'm watching boxing.

I hear 'ya

JesseDezz said:

I'm listening to your myspace right now, first rate guitar playing.

I think it's been covered or said earlier but yeah, Prince does not meet the definitions of "child prodigy." He's uniquely gifted and he's definitely honed his musicianship over the years, but child prodigy he was not.



Talents aside, the fascinating and most intriguing aspect of Prince's musicianship is his discipline and work ethic.

chuckaducci said:

yeah, that's what amazes me, nothing stops his pace, he has gone through several serious deaths in his family, divorces, etc.., but he doesn't let those things totally sidetrack him as they would most people.

mozfonky said:

Many thanks Haven't gigged in a while, though. Kinda taking a break from it all...

JesseDezz said:

I understand, for me the music is something that I don't get tired of, it's all the things you have to deal with to try to make a go of it that burn you out.

Hate to say it, but Michael Jackson was a child prodigy, meaning he was doing his thing at the highest level as a child.Mike damn near came out da womb singing! I think Prince was adeptand capable, maybe even special as a teenager, thru hard work and practice, but it took a while longer to perfect.You can tell by his unique sound, and out of the box interpretations, that he's self taught; he added more and more things as his talent evolved. I've read where he used to walk into a music class in high school, pick up an instrument and "kill it", and then just walk out, just to show off! Musical Genius as an adult, no doubt, but not a child prodigy, IMO of course.

JesseDezz said:

That's right, don't listen to 'em...

Great discussion. I'm late but what the hey. Since opportunity and recognition play a part in who is defined as a prodigy, who's to say? If Prince had been nurtured in an environment conductive to his gifts he may very well have been recognized at a much younger age.

That didn't happen, so the fact of the matter is he is not regarded as a child prodigy. I agree with mozfonky that this is not a bad thing. Many so-called prodigies have peaked, burned out and even died at a young age. I want Princey around for a looooong time.

The word I like to use to describe Prince is phenomenal. A word that includes, but is not limited to prodigies. A phenomenal individual is a little more outside the box so the word phenomenon seems a more apt label.

Btw, I just ordered your book from Amazon!

Thank U! Hope you like it

LexNevermind said:

definitely, there's undisputable evidence that Michael was killing when he was a little kid, but not Prince, other than anecdotal evidence

now as adults, that's a different story