#80 Scott Ainslie, acoustic blues guitarist, singer and songwriter

Scott Ainslie's mother played piano, and he started learning to play music at the same time he learned to talk, about 3 years old. He played all sorts of instruments, but when he first heard John Jackson sing and play guitar, that was his first taste of vital, homemade, handmade music. Scott sought out John and other experienced musicians. He says, "I'm a strong believer in the power and necessity of apprenticeships, and I also know when you love something, it will transform you; you should let the music change you before changing it." He believes people in the old times played music to serve and support their families and communities. He also believes that musicians hold up a mirror to ourselves, and try to put us in someone else's circumstances for a moment, which can create empathy and compassion, making the world a little kinder and breaking down the barriers. "What better use of white privilege could we have than to honor the multiracial nature of our country." He says, "I think we can make the world a little better with something as ephemeral as music in the air." In that way, musicians are servants to society and can inspire people; we can become better people playing on stage and performing music.