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Galley Gossip: Interview with musician Josh Wilson (The Hey, Jude Newark Airport guy)

by Heather Poole (RSS feed) on Jan 6th 2010 at 9:30AM

On January 3rd, 2010, there was a security breach at Newark Liberty International Airport. As a result, all passengers in the secure area were required to clear the concourse and pass through security checkpoints a second time. This process took almost six hours. While most travelers were annoyed and frustrated, one imaginative traveler, musician Josh Wilson, decided to lighten the mood. This is his story.

Name: Josh Wilson

Occupation: Singer/Songwriter signed to Sparrow Records (EMI's Christian Label).

I'm always saying, "This is your life, enjoy it -- even if you're stuck at an airport!" It looks like you know how to do just that based on your popular video making the rounds. So where were you traveling to the day of the Newark Security Breach? I was headed to Mumbai, India with my wife and some others doing mission work

I saw the video after someone forwarded it to me. They actually found it on Alyssa Milano's Twitter Feed. What inspired you to do the sing-along? Things had gotten really tense in the terminal. We were at about the six hour mark in terms of the delay. Some kids were crying near us and I wanted to cheer them up and maybe get everyone else to relax a little. Someone in our group said I should break out my guitar, and after a little convincing I did. But in that situation, it's only safe to play the Beatles. Anything else would have led me to being pelted by luggage

Now that's funny! Have you ever played for a crowd of passengers before? You know, as a musician at some point you feel you've played ever possible type of gig. But I do think it was my first airport performance.

Feel free to perform on one of my flights any time! How do you manage to stay so upbeat while traveling? Well, the truth is I don't. This time it was easy, though. There was clearly nothing we could do - I could choose to be angry or choose to accept it. The best plan was to take a sad song and make it better.

Any advice for travelers stuck in a similar situation? Do you remember that reality show about Southwest Airlines a couple years ago? I used to watch that show and wonder if people had any idea how ridiculous they look when they make a scene over being delayed. I think if we all had more compassion for the people around us and were less consumed with our inconveniences the world would be a better place. And I could stand to follow that advice more often, too.

Amen to that! To where are you traveling next? The next bit of travel is actually on a tour bus, so I'll be trading terminal delays for traffic delays.

Where can I see you perform? In January and February I'll be in Florida a lot, but as the year progresses I pretty well make it everywhere. Check out MYSPACE.COM/JOSHWILSONMUSIC for tour dates.

WILL DO. THANKS FOR CHATTING WITH ME. HAPPY TRAVELS!

Photos courtesy of Josh Wilson

Gallery: Ten pilots you don't want in your cockpit

Filed under: Airlines, Video, Galley Gossip

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

andy Jan 6th 2010 4:03PM

I was once in Palm beach intl while bad weather up north caused all kind of delays at PBI. Went to lounge and there was Chuck Mangione (Chase the Clouds Away) talking with the crouds. He did play a few numbers for us was quite special.

d Jan 8th 2010 2:07PM

wow andy... how very lucky for you. i've flown in and out of PBI a number of times but never so lucky as you were. i was delayed while sitting in the plane because Princess Diana had been in town and we had to wait for her plane to take off. Chuck Mangione is one of my favorite musicians and i have seen him many times in concert. i even have 2 pics with him. the last time i met him, i asked if i could have an updated photo with him and he obliged... first one was in 1981 and the second one was 2007! glad you got to hear him play too! d:)

andi Jan 7th 2010 4:25PM

Once while stuck on a tarmack in an airplane, my husband entertained the fussy children--and adults. I held his maglight while he did shadow puppets on the wall of the plane. He got applause when we finally were able to take off. Even the flight attendants were appreciative and gave him a free beer.

Mermel Mom Jan 6th 2010 8:01PM

Now is he gonna have to send Sir Paul some money?

kmaestro27 Jan 8th 2010 3:16PM

No, the Estate of Michael Jackson as he owns the copyrights to the entire Beatles catalog. McCartney owns Buddy Holly's. Fair trade?

Judy Jan 8th 2010 8:26AM

I thought that the airport delay was a great way to get this guy known more. I had already hear his name on the Christian pop station near us. He was really a wonder person to step up and help give everyone a point of reference to what life should be like.You can still sing even if life throws you lemons.

timagent Jan 8th 2010 7:27AM

there is powerful spirit in the music, because music is the way of life and nothing cool tension than music.

downema1160 Jan 8th 2010 8:06AM

Brave and cool and just the ticket for a tired and overwhelmed crowd. WTG Josh!

Natalie Jan 8th 2010 8:15AM

I love this guy!!!!!!!!! We need more people like him on this earth! Yay for him, and all those who joined in the fun, especially the guy in the bacvkground going Judy, Judy, Judy, Judyyyyyyyyy, wish Ihad been there!

Nana Jan 8th 2010 8:25AM

Sounds to me like the spirit of God flowed through you to those tense people awaiting good news that they could leave...maybe someone got the very right moment of grace from you and your songs. What a blessing you were for those needy people. It is by the Grace of God that such special moments happen for all of us, we simply have to allow ourselves to realize this and receive the gift.

sunny Jan 8th 2010 8:20AM

Nice, but even that would get annoying after a while.
Someone will eventually come up and smash his guitar.

Giovanni Jan 11th 2010 8:50AM

America need more peoplo same you!!!God bless you!!!

Inkling Jan 8th 2010 9:30AM

I LOVE this guy's positive outlook. He definitely saved the day. They should give him a free flight after that. Where's all the wealthy people passing the hat to pay for his ticket?

Daniel Milks Jan 8th 2010 8:34AM

Josh, You are not only a strong believer, but you live your life in front of the world the way all us Christians would like to be seen, a great exanple of caring for other people around you and less worry about yourself. You are the man! May God bless your life abundantly.

Verne Jan 8th 2010 8:41AM

Thank God some of us still have that American Spirit from years ago instilled in us by our ancestors...........

Jim Jones Jan 8th 2010 8:44AM

Impromptu airport performances can be real fun. My fiance and I were a singing duo in the early 1980s on a trip to St Louis for her to meet my parents, siblings, and extended family. I took a guitar along with me and all who met us at the airport were aware of that. My oldest brother left a small group of family at an airport lounge and met us at the flight gate. While he was meeting us my other brother with the group at the lounge was observing a laid back and somewhat bored bartender and three waitresses waiting on less than ten people in a lounge which held 60 or more. He told them in a few minutes a muscial duo would be there and liven the place up for them, which we did. About an hour and a half of having drinks and going through our favorite popular, rock, country, & folk songs and the place was packed with people standing. We all had a good time, the employees, who said they made more tips and sales in that short time than they often made in two days, rose to the occasion, had the drinks and food flowing and the very responsive crowd was one of the best we ever interacted within. The bartender/manager gave our group of seven free food and beverages for the effort and encouraged us to stay longer but we had other obligations and had to leave. Our crowd was not a "captive audience" as the one depicted in the current narrative, but, our "volunteer" audience was as enthralled as any I had seen up to that time. Thank You.