PULLING STRINGS by Chuck Leclair

 Title: Music is Food

Hey Cornwall Folk,

Success can be measured in various manners. Some would say success comes in waves of money, landing that great corporate position, or even owning your own company. When I was a child growing up, my family was fairly frugal, so to me, money was very lucrative. As such, I always told myself I wanted to be my own boss and run my own company. When I was 20 years old I enrolled in the Business Administration Management program at St-Lawrence College, Cornwall Campus. It was to be the very building and halls to which my next journey was to take place; the SEB program, sponsored by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. But now I was 32!

My work background leading up to taking the SEB program was mostly in sales and management. For almost 7 years, I was a mid-level manager working at a corporate video store. As local opportunities to move up the ladder were limited, one day I decided to resign my position…by that I mean quit. As I was a bit foolishly mannered back then; it was the second best thing I decided to do. After that, I gained a position with a local bread company and my interest in community grew. My job was to get up with the sun, load a truck full of bread and deliver these products to Cornwall and outlying area. As my duty was being faithfully fulfilled for almost 6 years, my position succumbed to the wavering economic woes of a local food provider…I got laid off. What was I to do?

As most would, I decided to lay low for a while as Uncle Beaver took care of me. At this point in my life I needed a change, something that would fuel my passion and creativity. The passion and creativity to which I speak of would be in the context of sound and music. With that said I immersed myself in sound and consequently began my grassroots research. I engaged in musical performances; both as a listener and a performer, musically volunteered my time to centres and food banks, practiced songs and wrote original content, and acquired a bunch of friends along the way…instruments and humans alike. Now let’s make a business!

The business to which I operate is a mix of music motivation, called Sound to Stage. I host musical events and “open mic” nights, perform with groups of people, conduct musical workshops, and help other businesses grow through music. It must be noted at this exact moment that I would have never evolved my current business situation if it weren’t for the SEB program. The program makes you think about how to implement your ideas into reality. If I have one suggestion to the decision makers of the SEB program, I would immediately note that I believe this program should be offered not only to current and past EI recipients, but to all who decide they want a change and focus brought to their lives. I measure success by having the ability to be self-sufficient in doing what I love in the community where I live!

“Imagination is more important than knowledge”—-Albert Einstein

“Knowing is a cup half filled, creativity is the other half”—-Chuck Leclair

E-mail comments and musical quotes to chuckleclair@hotmail.com or add him to Facebook to follow his events and shows dates.

Chuck Leclair is a local musician, songwriter, music promoter/activist and small business owner. He also musically donates his time to the CMHA and the Agape Center and is a Board of Director/Treasurer for our beloved Cornwall & the Counties Arts and Culture Council.