I’ve got a new hero; he’s Steve Martin. I didn’t just discover him; I’ve been a fan of his for almost 50 years. I even saw him perform at Cole Field House at the University of Maryland in 1978. But more about that later.
I’ve always thought those who write their own autobiographies must be off just a tick, and they must think a lot of themselves. I mean – come on! You’re such a big shot; you need to write about – you?! That said… yep… I’ve always wanted to write my autobiography. Like many authors, I’ve been stuck in the, “think about it” stage for way too long. One of my problems has been I’ve been more fixated on the title than the contents of the book. Therein lies the problem.
My overly-fixated title has always been, “The Organ Grinder’s Monkey.” I just love that title, and I love the story behind those particular performers. Many of the early organ grinders were Italian immigrants who traveled across Europe and America in search of work. They played hand-cranked barrel organs in outdoor venues to entertain crowds.
To draw more attention and increase their earnings, some organ grinders began bringing small trained monkeys dressed in tiny costumes. The monkey would dance, tip its hat, and collect coins from the audience in a tin cup. This crafty addition made the act more appealing, particularly to children, and helped the organ grinders make a better living.
What I admire about these monkeys is simple. No matter what the monkey’s mood may have been, or how the weather was, or the time of day… it just didn’t matter. That monkey would jump up on that box and give you the best performance it possibly could. Always. It’s the only way the monkey knew how to perform.
I like that monkey – no – I appreciate that monkey. To be clear, I identify with that monkey. For over four decades, I’ve performed all over the world. No matter what my mood may have been, or how the weather was, or the time of day… it just didn’t matter. My job has always been to jump up on that box and give the best performance I possibly could. Oh, and I took pride in it!
I respect that monkey so much that I wanted to name my autobiography, “The Organ Grider’s Monkey.” Unfortunately, there are not one, but two, problems with that title:
- Clear beats clever. It’s a clever title, and if you give me a few paragraphs to explain it to you, you’ll get it and love it. Unfortunately, without that explanation, many people don’t get it. It sure is clever, but if it isn’t clear, it doesn’t sell.
- My wife hates it. I’ve gone so far as to actually purchase some organ grinder’s monkey art and subtly left it around the house to soften her stance on that monkey and me. It hasn’t worked.
Now, you might be wondering, “What happened to the Steve Martin part of this story and what does Steve have to do with all of this?” Well… I’ll tell you. In a recent interview, Tina Fey reflected on a conversation she had with Steve Martin, who was coming in for one of his many cameos on SNL. He had just been on Letterman the night before. When she mentioned to him how funny she thought he had been on the show, in a very matter-of-fact tone, he said, “Oh, well, you have to kill every time.” She never forgot that, and now, neither will I.
Steve Martin is my new hero because he finally dislodged that title that wasn’t really doing me any favors.
- Clear beats clever. In the world of professional speaking, “You Have to Kill Every Time” is pretty damn clear. By the way: That doesn’t intimidate the pros; it motivates them.
- My wife doesn’t hate it. Need I say more?
Will I actually write this book? Gosh, I don’t know. I hope so. What I do know is that I have a new title, and a new hero, and a previous title that provides a cautionary tale about being a bit too clever.
For the record, I still admire that monkey, and always will.
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