It's never too late to fall back in love with your art 🎨

There’s a performance from this past weekend’s GRAMMYs that I can’t get out of my head. Well, several. Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman blew me away with their “Fast Car” duet, and I loved watching Miley Cyrus have the time of her life performing “Flowers”.

But it was Billy Joel’s debut of his new single “Turn the Lights Back On” that hit me on a deeper level. He said this is his first song in 30 years. I couldn’t believe this… THE piano man hasn’t sat down at the keys to write new music in DECADES?!

Billy didn't return to songwriting until he met Freddy Wexler, a longtime Billy Joel fan and producer known for his work with Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Billy credits Freddy with reigniting his artistic spark, leading them to collaborate on new music.

“The whole point of doing what I do was because it was so much fun to do when I first started. I kind of lost that after a while. Freddy got me to find the joy in it again.” -Billy Joel

The lyrics of "Turn the Lights Back On" hold a double meaning. They could represent a romantic narrative, but they seem to speak to Billy's journey back to his art:

I'm late, but I'm here right now / And I'm tryin' to find the magic
That we lost somehow
Maybe I was blind / But I see you now
As we're layin' in the darkness
Did I wait too long / To turn the lights back on?

This serves as a reminder that even legends like Billy Joel may encounter moments of creative stagnation or a loss of artistic drive. It took the extra push from Freddy for him to to jump back into creating. It's never too late to reignite your passion for your craft.

So, after a year of personal challenges and feeling "creator's guilt," I'm turning the lights back on and writing this newsletter. Thank you for sticking around and letting me rediscover the joy of making things.

I hope you're inspired to revisit a passion you may have lost. Let's pick up where we left off...

Headline of the Week 📰

Despite Billy Joel's statement at the GRAMMYs, Rolling Stone wasted no time fact-checking him. It appears that it's been 17 years since Billy released a new single, not 30. He released a Christmas song in 2007.

And while we appreciate Rolling Stone for their accurate reporting, they also got a little unhinged on GRAMMY night...

When Taylor Swift surprised everyone with a new album instead of the anticipated re-recording of "reputation," Rolling Stone tweeted what we were all thinking.

I found it hilarious to see the juxtaposition of thorough journalism and unfiltered chaos. Leave it to a Taylor Swift surprise album to bring out the unhinged side of your brand voice.

Read: Rolling Stone + Billy Joel's Return to Music

Throwback Thursday ⏮️

This newsletter is becoming a bit of a GRAMMYs recap, but we HAVE to talk about “Fast Car”. After Tracy Chapman performed her hit with Luke Combs, Billboard reported that her streams are up 241%. Luke’s cover is also up 37%.

So let’s throw it back to 1988 when Tracy's original version debuted. It rose to popularity after she filled in for Stevie Wonder at the last minute during Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tribute Concert.

“I literally had to run to the stage, dragging my guitar cable. When I look back at the footage I can see how unprepared I was. But I think it also meant I had no time to feel the pressure.” -Tracy Chapman for the Tavis Smiley Show

She was just 24 years old, but she seized her moment. Watch the full performance:

Watch: Tracy Performs 'Fast Car' in 1988

New Episodes: Making the Brand Podcast 🎧

Guess what?! I just crossed 100 episodes of Making the Brand! Coincidentally, my latest episode with two powerhouse women in sports debuted on National Girls and Women In Sports Day yesterday!

Hear Kassie Epstein and Abigail Thistle talk about how they're bringing NFL game days to life at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA! A major tool at their fingertips: the largest outdoor video board in the nation! They share how they activate fans using the 22,000 sq. ft. screen, electrifying lights, social media, and more.

LISTEN: Behind-the-Screens at Gillette Stadium

A Creator to Follow 💜

Are you a theater lover? 🎭 I'm not quite a theater fan, but I can't help but geek out over this brand-new book club called Read Broadway! Launched by Summer Sides, this book club focuses on titles that inspired Broadway shows.

The January pick was the book that inspired Mean Girls (I had no idea it was a book first!), and February's choice is "The Color Purple".

This pop culture fusion of books and theater is a fun way to jump into your reading goals and connect with the theater community. Check out @ReadBroadway on Instagram to keep up!

Follow: @ReadBroadway

#PopChat This Friday 🎉

Between the GRAMMYs, the upcoming Super Bowl, and everything in between, we've got pop culture headlines to discuss! 💗 Join me and other curious and chatty marketers Friday at 1pm ET for #PopChat on Twitter.

All you have to do to participate is follow my tweets at @brianne2k! See you then 🔥

Join #PopChat Friday at 1pm EDT

That’s all for now! Thanks for letting me hang in your inbox 💌