How Do You Keep the Music Playing?
I’ve been performing professionally as an entertainer now for over sixty years. Somehow I can’t believe the time has gone by so quickly. It’s been an amazing journey, and I feel privileged that I’ve been successful doing what I love for my whole life. Of course there have been ups and downs, but I can honestly say that I have always tried to learn from my mistakes.
I rarely look back; instead, I always look forward. There is so much of life that we miss when we wallow in regret. My energy is better spent concentrating on all the things I have yet to learn and experience. I think this has made me into a much better person. I’m at peace with myself now, and I look forward to each new day.
From a young age, I was taught never to compromise. My parents and teachers showed me that you should make every move with care, and put the accent on quality. If you apply this philosophy, you will never go wrong. And I have found that, in particular for a performer, the public will pick up on that attitude and will reward you by giving back what you give to them. I never sing a cheap song. I never look down at the audience and think that they are ignorant, or think that I’m more intelligent than they are. To think otherwise is totally incorrect, and runs contrary to everything I was raised to believe.
I love entertaining people; I strive to make them feel good, and they make me feel wonderful. To explain it simply, I love what I do, and my ambition is to get better as I get older. That’s really what I’m all about.
To my mind, being in the entertainment business is the best job that anyone could have. I get to travel the world over, meet interesting people, and experience many cultures. I’ve become close to artists of all ages in music, art, and the theater. I’ve sung for eleven presidents, and have performed for royalty. But, best of all, I get to meet my fans—the people on the street—face-to-face. They are the ones who help me stay grounded. I learn more from them than from anyone else.
I’m also lucky because I get to work with my family. I’m blessed with creative children: my eldest son, Danny, has been my manager for over thirty years, and my son Daegal produces and engineers my records. My daughter Johanna has dedicated her life to philanthropic endeavors; my youngest, Antonia, is a talented singer in her own right and often joins me on tour. My wife, Susan, has worked with me in realizing my dream of establishing a New York City public high school for the arts, and she travels with me wherever I go. Being surrounded by family is very important to me. It’s such a privilege to be able to do what I do.
From an early age, I’ve been blessed by knowing that I wanted to be involved in artistic endeavors. Even though we were very poor, my parents placed a high value on the arts. I always wanted to sing and paint; I never had to ask, “What am I going to do with my life?” I just knew.
I meet so many intelligent people who seem to know so much, but I often find that what they lack is an understanding of their innermost desires. They really have no idea what they want to do with their lives; they have no vision or sense of the bigger picture, and often they lack the passion that is essential to a truly fulfilled life. I guess I’m just lucky that way. I’ve always had this passion—this feeling that I have no choice but to do what I do. And fortunately I’m still in that state right now. I’m grateful that to this day, my passion and thirst for knowledge have continued.
My goal is to improve all the time. Here I am today, at eighty-six, and I’m even more passionate now than ever before. I’m at the top of my game, and things just keep getting better and better. I’m proud to say that I feel I’ve never worked a day in my life—and I know that’s because I love what I do.
The Zen of Bennett
Work doesn’t feel like work if you’re passionate about what you do.
Do something to improve yourself, every single day.
Choose a career that encompasses what you gravitate to naturally, and you’ll have a satisfying lifelong vocation.
