It was 2021, the year after COVID-19 had shaken the world. I had begun studying at Rimon School of Music shortly after my release from military service as a singer. Eager to improve my writing skills, I enrolled in the singer-songwriter program, believing it to be the best next step.
Upon arriving at Rimon, my sole focus was to immerse myself in music sheets, school tasks, and perfecting my craft in classes. Meeting new people was the last thing on my mind. At that time, I envisioned my musical journey as one of solitude, a path I would walk entirely alone. Yet, I was filled with questions. If I was to be a standalone musician, how would I go about it? What would my next step be after school? The music industry is tough, and making a living in it is no simple task.
Little did I know what the future had in store for me. In life, we make plans, and the universe laughs.
As a school tradition, Every year, the college would throw a music fair, where music equipment and items would be sold at very fair prices for students. It was one of the most important days of the year at Rimon. Everybody showed up. And I mean everybody. How could you not, with the insane discounts stores were offering? As we all know, musicians are, in most cases, not the wealthiest bunch, so no student in their right mind was going to miss out on saving a bit of cash. Stores from all over the country arrived to set up shop stands, selling everything from guitars and amps to vinyl and music sheets. Anything related to music was on sale that day. The lines for these sales were crazy! Students would stand in line for hours. Even the teachers would join in, trying to get their hands on a musical instrument before anyone else. How could they not?
The day of the event was hot and sunny, perhaps too sunny for a Tuesday at the end of October. Still filled with fears of COVID-19, I wasn't yet accustomed to being outside and in crowds. I debated whether to attend or skip the whole event and stay home. Waking up early and driving an hour to school in traffic was not my idea of a good time. The thought of standing in line for hours, especially in the heat, sounded exhausting. But, like all the other musicians who couldn't resist the temptation, I caved and decided to go. I had my eyes set on a MIDI keyboard for my music studio, one I wouldn't be able to afford if it weren't for the fair.
I arrived at the fair and immediately made my way to the shop that sold the keyboard, pushing through the crowds of people. After a few moments of stressfully sifting through piles of musical products, I found it. Hands were grabbing items everywhere while the shopkeeper shouted out prices to students who were asking. It was a hectic mess. Not wanting to delay a moment longer, I grabbed the first keyboard I saw and rushed to stand in line. I knew the wait was going to be very long, but I arrived mentally prepared for it. I was just happy I had gotten my hands on my dream item. Holding it tightly, I began my long wait to reach the cashier when suddenly I heard a voice close to my ear say, “Don’t buy it in gray.”
I turned to my right to see where the voice was coming from. There stood a man who seemed about my age, wearing ripped jeans, a white shirt, and a baseball cap with a black and white bandana peeking out from under it. He looked stylish and distinct from the usual crowd of students. With sunglasses covering his eyes, I couldn't see his full face, only the kind smile he offered me, framed by a wild beard and a strong jawline. Lowering my gaze, I noticed the tattoo on his shoulder of a guitar and the letters "RNFN'R" written underneath.
"What?" I asked, completely forgetting what he had said a moment before. He removed his sunglasses to reveal his honey-brown eyes. "The keyboard. Don't buy it in gray. Red is cooler," he answered, lifting his hand to show me the same keyboard I was holding, but in red. Red is cooler, I thought. I couldn't help but notice the rings on his fingers and the bracelets on his wrists. This guy definitely had style. “Nice to meet you” I said, reaching out his hand to shake mine. He gave the brightest smile. "Nice to meet you, I'm Johnny."
Today Me and Johnny are happily together as a couple in addition to working together as partners in efforts to release our two upcoming EP's in the pop rock genre.I didn't know it then, but at that moment, my life path had shifted towards something else. Looking back, deciding to stand in a busy and hectic fair, amidst the heat and surrounded by raging students screaming around me, was the best decision I had ever made. Who knew I would be getting so much more than a keyboard that day? Most importantly, a red keyboard.