The Cheese Factory: A lesson in self-reinvention

Several years ago, at the suggestion of my brother Jon, I read a book called "Who Moved My Cheese?," by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It's a parable about two sets of mice and how they deal with life's inevitability: change. The following is from the publisher's description of the book:

"Sniff and Scurry are mice—non-analytical and non-judgmental, they just want cheese and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.  Hem and Haw are 'littlepeople,' mouse-size humans who have an entirely different relationship with cheese. It's not just sustenance to them; it's their self-image. Their lives and belief systems are built around the cheese they've found. Most of us reading the story will see the cheese as something related to our livelihoods—our jobs, our career paths, the industries we work in—although it can stand for anything, from health to relationships. The point of the story is that we have to be alert to changes in the cheese, and be prepared to go running off in search of new sources of cheese when the cheese we have runs out."

I've been self-employed my whole career, and if anybody knows about running out of cheese, it's me! It's so important to flow with the seasons in life. One of the biggest mistakes that people make—and believe me, I've made many— is to wait until it's too late. The secret, as the book's message clearly provides, is to stay ahead of the curve.

I've witnessed two country artists who, even in the face of a changing music market and diminishing record sales, refused to surrender after their "cheese supply" started to dry up; these two guys are a study in self-reinvention.

Ricky Skaggs helped start the neo-traditional movement as a country performer in the eighties and maintained a high place on the music charts for over a decade. A new generation of artists emerged in the nineties who took country music toward a more pop sound. As a result, and after much soul-searching, Skaggs decided to return to his bluegrass roots. He also left his record company to start Skaggs Family Records, began to actively embrace his elder statesman role on the Opry, and continues to keep a busy touring schedule. Skaggs recently released a recording with Bruce Honsby and a new autobiography.

Over a decade ago, Marty Stuart decided to embrace his elder statesman role as well, and in recent years, has started his own TV show on a small cable network. Over time, Marty gained the respect of country music fans and professional musicians alike not only for his incredible talent, but also because of the high-caliber musical guests on his show. He gained new fans in the process—ones that probably never knew his music when he was climbing the charts as a young artist. Stuart's current band, The Fabulous Superlatives, are top-notch pickers and singers—solo artists in their own right, who've released music on Marty's own Superlatone Records label. Marty has one of the largest country music memorabilia collections on the planet, including priceless show costumes and instruments from country music's greatest stars. He has a packed concert schedule, and is considered by many—along with Skaggs and Vince Gill—to be a foremost country music ambassador.

Not bad for a second wind! These guys didn't wait for country music to come to them; they created their own music industry—what an inspiration.

As the "cheese" book suggests, it's probably wise to follow Ricky and Marty's lead and create a "cheese factory" all our own. Instead of waiting around for an invitation to do what we love (and for which we are highly skilled), let's make a plan, set some goals and head out with excitement toward the next season of life. That's what I'll be doing, my good friends!