Negativity and selfishness gets great publicity in our social networking, indirect-contact society. You’d be led to believe the world’s running low on good people and that no one cares for or respects one another anymore. Their only concerns are themselves; and when they’re in need, no one is willing to lend them a hand without reward.
This is not the case. Kind, caring, selflessly-generous people still exist. Lee England Jr. is a shining example.
A gifted multi-instrumentalist, an electrifying live performer, and the coolest violinist alive, “The Soul Violinist” captivates audiences in both intimate settings of hundreds or arenas and theaters packed from the floor to the rafters.
The first non-athlete signed to Jordan Brand, Lee was personally selected by Michael Jordan to represent the line.
While good at what he does, he’s also a good person and one who believes in helping others.
I asked Lee England Jr. to tell me about a time when he did something nice for someone that he didn’t know. Here’s what he shared.
“When I first thought about it, it stomped me. It stomped me because I don’t count those things. That’s just a part of who I am. So, I thought about it for a minute then I finally remembered something.
I had a show in which I invited this guitarist on stage to perform with me and I’d just met him days before.
I was out on a date. We were walking around the L.A. Live area, and I hear this guitar. I’m looking for what venue this music is coming from so I can go in and see who it is. I walk about 50 more feet and realize the guitar player is street performing! And he was tearing it up!
I went and spoke with him for a moment, found out he’d just moved to L.A. I was so moved by his spirit upon talking to him, I told him he reminded me of myself with the whole street performing thing.
It takes a lot of heart to go out and street perform, especially in L.A. When I see people doing it, it moves me.
I tipped him, stood there and listened for a bit and was like, ‘You know what? I feel moved to connect with you. Take my number, I have a show coming up. I don’t need a guitarist but let’s just get in the mix.’
I invited him up on stage, and Quincy [Jones] was in the audience as well. I was just extending my hand to say I believe in you. I don’t know you, but I like the way you play. This was my way of saying here, get your feet wet at a sold-out show. It allowed him the space to shine. That went really well.
The very next day we went out and street performed together. Let me show you that I used to do this too. I took my guitarist out there too and we were making money. When it was all said and done, he asked how we wanted to divide it up. I said, ‘Just keep it.’
I didn’t go out there to make money with him or take money from him. I just wanted to support him and rock with him.” |THIS.
[By M.J. Walker]
“We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.” – ‘We Are the World’
