Synergy is a wonderful thing. I was feeling pretty good about my podcast scheduling. I had one in the can, and had an agreement with the next podcast guest. Unfortunately the guest and I ran into scheduling conflicts. That left me with a hole that needed to be filled.
I gave thought to allowing the time to pass. After all, I do not yet have any advertisers to appease. At this point, these podcasts are for my entertainment and enlightenment, while they do help fill the pockets of Google and other web servers. Anyway, I thought about just letting the time lapse, or perhaps I would do something like read a passage from a novel that I am writing.
Just as these thoughts were running through my mind, I received a request from Alex Suaudom du Monde. He is a martial artist and chef that I have had occasion to train with. He asked me to consider a podcast on the history of the martial arts scene in Columbia, South Carolina. Synergy is a wonderful thing. When there is a hole, synergism often fills it.
That said, history is not one of my strong suits. But what the hell, it’s worth a try, right.
KDA Karate Academy in Columbia, SC
KDA Wing Chun
Great podcast. Loved all you had to say. Mr. Logues history was also great to hear. Your comments on the MA turning into business is spot on. Not what we had wanted. Wrong time for me. Would have loved to hear more about the generations of MA leaders in the area. I don’t know many but refer to the four founders as mr. Logue, Mr. Able, Mr. Genova , Mr. Kim and Mr Ryan. From them I look at second generation students from those lines Sifu Mills, Tommy Hood, Troy Price, Brian Penna, Billy Pervous, and Chuck Harris. But with so many popping up what will be the third generation for their prospective arts ( or schools ) I don’t know takes over Mr. Kim’s , you would represent Sifu Mills, I would represent Prof. Ryan, Mr Able and the school has seen hard times with Becky Chavis early passing and the schools split.
I know it was really hard to cover all bases, but you did put a good perspective on the history of what a martial arts school was, and what they are today. Thanks for sharing your experience and look forward to the next blog.
Thank you.
To do something truly well rounded would require tracking people down and doing interviews. Which would not be a bad thing, it is just a space that I am not really in right now. But maybe this little seed will germinate over time.
I don’t know that the concept of “third generation take overs” is valid anymore. At one time it was. The art was a baton, handed down. Now, with the extreme diversity it becomes a bit more like a web, with no clear lineage. When you add the business considerations into it, the individuals that might take over may be more business inclinded than martial art inclinded. Businesses often fall to children, who may have little real interest in the product, they just need the cash flow to continue. Folk deeply interested in the art may not have the heart for business in this cut throat business world.
In the end, I think it has to come down to some small inner seeds that keep a clear mind to the arts themselves. Modern approaches may not allow Instructor or School Worship, and may require Art Worship, whom ever and where ever you can get the art from. That, in turn, requires Art Recognition. Is MMA JKD? Some would say it is, or that they have some similarities. Some credit Si-Jo Lee’s concepts as the birth place of MMA. But to me, MMA is NOT JKD. It is not BJJ. It is a thing in itself, while its prevalence blurs the lines to the common individual.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for adding to it.