Michael Bearden Instagram – I have many MJ stories I’m saving. But, I will share this one on what would’ve been MJ’s 65th birthday.🎉🕊⠀ ⠀ As we were working on the set list early on in the process of the show, MJ expressed to me that he wanted to do a medley of Jackson 5 hits. ⠀ ⠀ I personally am not really a fan of medleys. They always feel lacking in some way. For this reason, I have a way in which I like to arrange medleys so the audience feels like it’s getting a reasonable portion of the songs they love! And, the artist can feel good about representing the songs that made them famous. ⠀ ⠀ I asked MJ if I could do my own version of the songs he wanted in the show. And, I explained my medley philosophy. ⠀ ⠀ He said “go for it! But, I only have one request.” I asked him what it was. He said (with a grin), “please bring those keys down for me. I’m not 10 anymore.” I said, of course. You’ve got it! ⠀ ⠀ As I was working on the medley, I took a moment to realize what had just happened. This man had been a superstar so long, I was arranging hit songs he sang as a boy! And, he sang them as if he were the age he was in that present moment. (50) If you listen to his performance on ‘who’s Lovin’ you?’, he was only 10 when he recorded that. But, you believe every word! Crazy! ⠀ ⠀ As a music director for more than a few mega-stars , I’ve been able to watch up close and personal how so many great icons work. I’ve learned a lot of valuable things! The word genius is lofted around a lot. It doesn’t always apply. ⠀ ⠀ In MJ’s case, he wasn’t just a genius because of his extraordinary gifts and talents from birth! Although that’s certainly true! MJ was a genius because, it was his intent! Everything he did was from the mindset of greatness. Everything we talked about. Everything we created. He always asked, “can this be better!” ⠀ ⠀ That is one of many lessons I learned from MJ. So on this day, I hope this story inspires younger artists to above all else, pursue excellence! Because in the end, it’s truly the only way to achieve greatness. He asked me once, “do you know how you love forever?” I said how Mj? He said, “through your art!”⠀ ⠀ In regards to him, He was right! M~ #MJForever⠀