From Fentanyl to Fulfillment: How the Tuba Civil Rights Movement Can Save American Democracy

As the prize-winning author of Dreamland and The Least of Us, Sam Quinones is one of the most acclaimed authorities on America’s deadly drug epidemics. So it might seem a little surprising that his follow-up to these two best-sellers is a book in praise of the bass horn, a relatively unglamorous musical instrument that he neither plays nor learned in marching band. But it all makes perfect sense. In The Perfect Tuba, Quinones resurrects the American Dream in the form of the bass horn (tuba) which he describes as the “tuba civil rights movement”. It’s the story of how to forge fulfillment from the bass horn, high school band and hard work. This isn’t just Quinones’ journey. It’s a map of how America can get from fentanyl to fulfillment. 1. You Don't Find Your Passion—You Forge It Through Hard Work Quinones discovered that fulfillment doesn't come from finding something you're naturally drawn to, but from working so hard at something that you become good enough to love doing it. This creates a cycle where competence breeds passion, leading to deeper engagement and growth.2. Band Teaches What Sports Can't: True Community Values While athletics get the glory, band programs create lasting life skills. In schools with 66% dropout rates, band students had 100% graduation rates. Twenty years later, former band members showed strong family and professional lives because band teaches accountability, precision, collaboration, and finding joy in small accomplishments.3. The "Tuba Civil Rights Movement" Challenges Low Expectations Tuba players have fought against being seen as limited—both the instrument and the people who play it. This mirrors broader social justice themes: when we expect little from people or communities (like Roma, Texas), we waste hidden talent that just needs proper cultivation and support.4. Hard Work Is the Antidote to America's Addiction Economy Quinones sees tuba players as the opposite of addicts. Instead of seeking happiness through consumption (buying something external), they find fulfillment through creation (developing internal capabilities). This offers a model for moving from quick dopamine hits to sustained contentment.5. Democracy Requires Orchestral Thinking, Not Solo Performance Real democracy sounds like a band—people with different roles working toward shared goals, not wanting to let others down, and being accountable for their part. The collaborative discipline learned in music programs teaches essential democratic values that social media and individual achievement culture are eroding.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe