So...what can I say about Bill Hanley?
I’ll get to that in a second.
First, I would like to say that I am probably the luckiest doctoral student around. I will explain why. Many of the graduates in the DA program have stressed to me "make sure you pick a topic that is important to you"... I now understand why. I couldn't even imagine spending this much time devoted to a topic that was non relative to my background ...or that I had some connection with. Here lies the beauty of the DA program. I concur with faculty and alum on this...we must choose wisely. Pick a topic you are close to ... both philosophically, physically, and emotionally....it will make for a better experience. TRUST ME.
I am so grateful that Bill Hanley is in my life and has allowed me the extreme fortune to research his history. His family, friends and colleagues have opened their doors for me. They have been insightful, helpful and compassionate about a man who has done so much to enhance our quality of life...audibly. What an impact he has had on the people around him.
I cannot lie though, I am also soooo extremely overwhelmed. This is a TON of work. Since May of 2011 when Bill agreed to this effort... I have pretty much spent my entire summer driving, filming and sweating...I’m not kidding! I go to bed thinking of Bill and I wake up thinking of him... I am so anxious ( I have had a few anxiety attacks) to make the best piece of work that I can. Hopefully one that will do this man justice and contribute to a body of knowledge that not many know about.
Ok..ill get over it...not looking for sympathy here.
As the Hanley story unfolds before me, I have realized many things about the ambiguous concept of leadership... for example, that sometimes humility can be the strongest force and characteristic of a true leader. Bill is this guy...I suspect he doesn’t even think that what he has done has created this much of an impact on humanity. I suspect others that do not know him would question this to. I guess this is why I am doing this project anyway right? I am determined to prove Bill Hanley right ...that in fact his involvement within the audio/sound industry created a shift (or shifts) within our relationship with sound, politics, social and cultural environments…specifically within the live event and festival arenas. Also an examination about what the industry looked like before Bill and after. Through several interviews already, the proof of my hypothesis is surfacing. Proof that one curious young man from Medford, Ma created a change in how the planet listens to outdoor sound. Considering how successful the festival market is these days ..this concept is mammoth in proportion. Its pure leadership.
So much of his passion is simply stated by the humble words from the man himself "To make sure the guy in the last seat in the house can be heard just as well as the guy in the front seat" This is as he says has always been his modus operandi. Also, that people can hear clearly with his utmost focus on crystal clear intelligibility. This is a man’s passion from childhood till this very day...In terms of leadership, if people can’t hear clearly, how can you empower the people?
From various 1960s DC anti war protests to historic festivals like Woodstock 1969 (and in between) Bill Hanley has made our world sound that much sweeter no matter how adverse the content.
Ok enough about Bill…
So like I said...I spent my summer focused on several things. Interviews, Interviews, Interviews and more Interviews….oh did I mention Interviews?
Thus far, I have been back stage at Newport Jazz, interviewed the surviving members of the Cowsills (7am in a Providence Hotel Room) , conducted a Woodstock themed radio show at MIT…the list goes on. I have interviewed Bills entire family, various colleagues and childhood friends. I think I know this guy more than his wife! Structurally, I am about 75 hours (of filming) into this thing. The Hanley contact spreadsheet I have is incomplete, and I suspect by my next blogging effort Ill have even more invested with my filming. I have only scratched the surface here. I have heard from document-arians that the more you film the better off you are…this way you can pick and choose what serves the content best.
As most of you know I am a visual artist, festival director, somewhat of an audiophile. Therefore , It is extremley important to me that the visual component of this dissertation be aesthetically pleasing. In my view this project should also be entertaining and equally compelling visually. I hope I can pull it off. One idea I had for example, is a concert stage monitor I take with me at all times for inspiration. This element represents Bill when he is not with me. So far I have placed him (the monitor) in a field of daisies just beyond a hog farm in VT, in the middle of a busy street, and amongst some rocks on a river bank…you see Bill brought better sound outside …get it?
We will see…how this works.
I am moving forward now with the second phase of this project while I take a break from filming. I am now engaged in article research, family and industry photographs on Bills life and career. Just recently, I spent about 3 days at Bills house, sitting at his kitchen table with my scanner, my mac, and box upon box of his personal affects. This as I see it, brought new life into the project. People can talk till their blue in face about their accomplishments, but when you see the visual proof it is another story…personally I got goose bumps.
For those who are curious…I am renting camera equipment , spending money on hard drives (to back this stuff up) and taking classes when I can on final cut pro and HD camera techniques at my local access television station. This has been an essential and highly useful resource.
As I see it this is shaping up to be my life’s work and I am so passionate about it. Like I said in the beginning of this blog entry ...pick a topic you love and peel back the layers...there will be a nugget in there somewhere.
It is now time to move forward and responsibly tell this magnificent story about one man’s passion about sound…although daunting, what a wonderful gift Bill has offered me...and you...you just don't know it yet.
See you at the movies!
John Kane
