After playing a sinus-wrenching gig the other evening, and attending another performer's show in a smoke-filled club, I decided to write some thoughts down about an issue that is part of our live entertainment culture.

There are numerous articles and message boards on the Internet with people taking sides on the controversial issue of smoking in public places.  Give a person a Web site, and he instantly feels qualified to vent (pun intended) about anything under the sun, especially those things that affect a large number of people.  Do we need one more person blogging about their views of what is virtuous and morally correct with regards to smoking?  More specifically, is anyone interested in hearing what I think about the issue?

I'd like to take a somewhat different approach to tackling the smoking matter, more specifically to focus on how prevalent it is in music-making environments.  I think it's worth discussing because it affects so many people in my profession (a lot of musicians engage in it);  but while I have definite opinions about cigarette smoking, strong ones at that, I don't want to be judgmental here or incite a lot of negativity over such a...ahem...combustible topic.  Rather, I'd like to spark some discussion and awareness of the fact that there are players and patrons out there who routinely struggle with the presence of smoke in bars, clubs and many venues where live performances are held.

Often times, when a person is editorializing about smoking, you will hear him lead off by saying "I have friends who smoke", usually intended to cushion the forthcoming blow with a perception of objectivity before slamming the habit with ferocity.  The truth is that I could probably be lumped into the same category since I have (and have had) beloved family members who smoke.  I still love these people dearly in spite of behaviors that don't conform to my sensibilities.  Therefore, it makes it difficult for me to automatically issue generalizations about others simply because they partake in something I don't approve of for myself.

Again, I'm not launching a character assault against smokers.  It's been done many times before and does little to promote constructive awareness and encourage productive dialogue so that all people feel as if their rights are being respected.  There are always people who give others bad reputations because of their actions...the proverbial bad apple if you will.  The world is full of inconsiderate smokers....but it's also full of inconsiderate non-smokers.  Don't mistake my desire for civility as ambivalence or lack of conviction.  I simply would like to express some views here in hopes of achieving something positive, however inconsequential it might be, while not berating people that I may disagree with...or more succinctly...the habit that I disagree with.

As a guitarist, I've played in many places in my career.  While I haven't made it to Carnegie Hall  (yet  )....my musical travels have taken me to a variety of venues where I've met many wonderful people through the years.  Playing music, especially in America's great institution called the "bar band", is a lot of hard work.  I've documented a lot of what goes into this before on this site.  Long hours of driving, getting equipment transported and assembled, the actual performing, etc...all can make for a demanding and fatiguing endeavor.  Musicians do it not only to make a living....most of us do it because there's something about it that's in our blood  (maybe literally!).

I keep remembering a quote by Lonnie Mack to the effect of "When I'm on the road, I want to be at home.  When I'm home, I want to be out on the road."   I can be having a terrible day and dreading the whole process, but playing onstage to appreciative people, one or one thousand, makes it all worthwhile.   As strange as it sounds, I love the feeling of being exhausted emotionally and physically the day after a great gig.  It somehow makes me feel as if I've connected with a purpose and expended myself in a manner that is appropriate and positive.  There are, of course, days where the exhaustion follows less-than-satisfying performances...those never feel good.  Still, the hard work itself doesn't bother me in the least.  I love all of the preparation that goes into making the music happen.  A lot of times, it's what I bring home with me afterwards that bothers me....namely aggravated sinuses, smelly clothes and stained instruments.

Many of the places I've played have allowed cigarette smoking on the premises.  What would a bar be without a thick fog of haze hanging overhead as people engage in all sorts of indulgent leisure activities?  Would Humphrey Bogart have been as cool without a cigarette in his mouth?  How about Eric Clapton without a cigarette standing up on his Strat's headstock?  Smoking and bars seem to go together like white and rice.  There is a cultural legacy and aura (literally) that links a dark nightclub with a coffin nail.

Had I chosen to pursue a career in classical music, for instance, I may have avoided the smoky nightclub ritual altogether, as that type of music is often performed in "respectable" places such as concert halls and theaters.  Since I travel around playing in blues clubs and honky tonks, I've inhaled enough tar and nicotine to make the Marlboro Man proud.

There is a growing national and international movement to ban smoking in public places.   Living in North Carolina, I see how much tobacco has contributed economically to this state.  Even here, there are efforts to reduce public smoking.   I've never looked at economics as a legitimate reason for validating a harmful habit...of course I could open up a whole 'nother box of worms by discussing other vices such as alcohol.  The difference between drinking and smoking in a club, though, is that while a drunk driver could indeed affect someone else with his habit, most people can drink and not infringe upon others.  Cigarette smoke on the other hand, doesn't just hover over the smoker...it travels and lingers in other people's air space.  There are few habits in this world that affect innocent bystanders as much as smoking.

I remember many times standing onstage and my eyes were so overcome by smoke that I couldn't stop the tears from welling up.  I would have to turn away from the audience to try and rub my eyes...which naturally makes things worse.  Breathing becomes a chore...my throat gets sore, my nose becomes irritated and a headache often ensues.  When I get home... the car reeks of cigarettes, my guitar case is filthy and the clothes immediately go into the washer.  I cannot go to bed without a long shower to get the stuff off me.  The next day, my muscles are sore and my eyes are not cooperating.  I feel as if I have a severe "smoke hangover."

A lot of people have expressed support for my musical efforts; but a good number of them dread coming out to hear the band in smoky environments.  It's a comment I hear quite frequently actually....."Why does there always have to be smoke in the bars?  Why can't there be places for people to hear music without all of the smoke?"    Actually, there are places to hear music without smoke...it just seems that the places most bands play have a smoking clientele.

Banning alcohol would obviously put bars out of business by the nature of what they are.  Smoking might be a different thing altogether because while the bars could potentially lose the smoking business, they'd gain a lot of non-smoking patrons in exchange.  There are more non-smokers out there than those who smoke.  I'd be interested to see, especially if bans on smoking are enacted,  how much that would affect business.  My guess is that it wouldn't affect things nearly as much as a prohibition on alcohol would (which I don't support, by the way).

So, while I don't like cigarette smoking, I understand that it's very prevalent in the music scene.  I'm sure that many of our readers here are smokers.  I'd love to hear the opinions of both smokers and non-smokers with regard to what can be done to encourage a more favorable environment in the musician's culture (ie: performers, audience, venues, etc..) for those who are negatively affected by smoke while still respecting the feelings of those who smoke.  I play many places that allow cigarette smoking....this is not really any kind of venomous criticism against them.  I'm sure that I will play many more of these types of venues in the future because I understand that it goes with the territory.

Maybe new ventilation system designs could be an answer.  My main concern there is that they would be too costly for the average corner bar to install.

I would especially like to hear from fellow musicians who either identify with my experiences or those who are not appreciative of them.  My main purpose is to create a dialogue and to learn more about what people think.

If you would like to submit your opinions, please drop me an e-mail.

Jason