A Holiday Message From Joshua Jackson, Founder of The Music Room

Well folks, it looks like Santa did not receive my letter this year. I asked him, “could we please, please just have a normal holiday season?” I’m still waiting for that Christmas miracle, but I don’t believe I’ll see it. It was an unseasonably warm 70° here in Boulder, Colorado this past week. Lots of travel plans are being canceled. I’m afraid to turn on the TV for fear that I might stumble across “the news.” Needless to say, the holiday “spirit“ has been a little bit harder to tap into this year. I’m still trying.

One thing hasn’t changed, however - my favorite holiday albums still sound as sweet as ever on my 2-channel rig. Actually, I dare say better than ever! I added a pair of REL S/812 subwoofers to my system this year and the whole synergy has come together in a new and improved way that has inspired me to listen to all of my favorite records over again. I’m looking forward to spending some time relaxing, listening to music, reflecting on all of the good things that have happened this past year and the people who have made this past year special. It hasn’t been an easy year, but it has been special. You all have contributed to that significantly. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about how thankful I am that we get to serve such a wonderful community of passionate music-lovers. It is truly a gift.

That said, as happy as I am that business is going well, as thrilled as I am with my audio system, and as gleeful as I am about getting to finally relax and enjoy it… there’s still something missing.

“It’s better to give than to receive” is what my dad would always say to us around this time of year while we were anxiously tallying the number of gifts under the tree. He seemed to really be sincere when he said that, but I never really believed him - not all of the way. After all, you really have to experience something for yourself before you truly believe it. My experience as a child was that receiving gifts was the best.

As is often the case, those childhood beliefs change as we grow older. Now I get it. I really look forward to the giving part of the holidays more than anything else. That’s why I was up late last night fumbling with a screwdriver and rubber mallet tediously assembling a surprise gift of a foosball table for the kids (mine are 12 and 14). I got it done, and I got to enjoy some music in the process. It forced me to slow down for a couple of hours and do some thinking while slowly turning each of those screws by hand. As I found some time to think my own thoughts for a change, I was wondering to myself: What does the future of this HiFi hobby look like? Will it survive? Will the next generation embrace it? Are new audiophiles coming along to inject new energy and creativity into this industry or are we just writing the final chapters of a soon-to-be bygone era?

I know… I know - that’s a big conversation. And this is just supposed to be a simple holiday message. But as we all try to make the most of the holiday season in this atmosphere of uncertainty, confusion, chaos and angst… where can we give something back to this hobby that we love? Here’s a challenge that I am giving to myself, and I will offer it to you as well: I want to invite someone to have an authentic listening experience and create space for them to be moved by music. That’s the gift I want to give to someone new this year. And I’m not talking about Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald singing Christmas carols in the background during the clinking of eggnog glasses and the white noise of small talk and hors d'oeuvres. I’m talking about inviting someone into that sacred space that is my listening room… encouraging them to sit down in the “sweet spot”, exhale, get settled in and truly get lost in the music for a few moments.

Maybe from that experience, a new audiophile will be born. After all, you really have to experience something for yourself before you truly believe it, right? Or, maybe it will just allow someone to have a few moments of relaxation in the midst of all the intensity and chaos of the holidays. Either way, that’s the gift I am most looking forward to giving this year. Will you join me in giving that gift to someone who has never experienced it before? I know there are “social distancing” rules and other concerns that make everything more complicated these days, but I think we can still find a way to give this gift. I think this is a good idea. Don’t you? Let’s do it - safely of course.

The only question I have left is: what song will I play? What if this is the only chance I’ll ever have with that person to show them what this hobby is about. What if next year it’s even more difficult to get together and share these experiences?

The room is dead quiet. Feet are up. holiday stress has been exhaled. You’ve got that person in the sweet spot - ready to listen. What track will you play?

I’m going with “Modern Driveway” - an instrumental track by Jon Hopkins that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. It’s a track that can carry me through a range of different emotions that change each time I listen. There is power, grace, nuance and a melodic spaciousness that invites me to lean in, close my eyes and listen closely to the details. I love it. I need music like this.

What’s the one track you would play to show someone what HiFi is all about? Hit reply and email us your choice. Let’s share some music.

Happy Holidays to you and yours from the whole team at The Music Room.