I went to the Jethro Tull concert last week at the Ferguson Center at Christopher Newport University. I had never been to this venue; the theater is beautiful and very spacious. We were in the fourth row, right up in front.

Tull's concert brought to mind several different topics for me, as my mind admittedly wandered a bit during the show. (I was also distracted by my companion's suggestion that a friend of a friend could help me do a bellydance show at the Ferguson, which was too exciting to ignore!)

First, I didn't know anything about Jethro Tull except a video I watched on YouTube without sound. (I am technologically disabled and didn't realize my computer was on "mute", and I couldn't figure out how to change the volume. Duh!)

I had some hint of this 60's era band's style, but as soon as the first flutey notes sounded, I was immediately reminded of the "jazz flute" part of "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy". I tried to remove the "baby-making music" scene from my mind so I wouldn't laugh or offend the people around me who were clearly enjoying themselves. I appreciated the music and could see that they were great artists, but it just wasn't my thing. But that's ok. We don't have to like everything.

I did like this quote on the very last page of the program from a TowneBank ad: "Use all of the talents you possess. Create for yourself, not for others. Keep company with those who make you better. Try something new and daring."

The lead singer of Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, could have written this quote himself. He had a vision (playing the flute with rock music), and a way he wanted to present himself (propping his foot on his knee, raising his eyebrows frenetically and twitching his fingers), and he stayed the course. The band is reaching their 40th anniversary, so they must be doing something right!

In my own artistic career, it's scary to be creative sometimes. I worry what people will think, or if I might make a mistake. But, in a way, I respect my poor showings as much as my great ones. If you get on stage, you deserve credit for the daring you have.

It's easy for others to judge you, or to "hate", as people say. However, haters don't win my respect if everything they do is choreographed within an inch of its life. That's not artistry or passion. So I say, stick with it, Jethro Tull, and all the other daring performers of the world. Be yourself. And when you're tempted to "hate on" others, put that energy into making yourself a better performer.