Postmaster by day Comedian, Artist and Illustrator by Night
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Earl Musick — husband, father, Postmaster, professional cartoonist and illustrator, comedian, spokesperson and ghost writer.
I first met this Jack of all trades when he was illustrating a coloring book for the Postal Service. He also provided a cartoon strip for an employee publication I was involved with. Little did I know, until recently, just how much the Nevada, OH, Postmaster has accomplished in his lifetime.
My first question was, "Do you sleep?"
"I draw and write everyday and I do miss a lot of sleep," he said. "But I work hard for the Postal Service and then I go home and try to be the best husband and father that I can be.
"When the family goes to sleep, I become Earl Musick: Cartoonist and Comedian Man," he says in a dramatic fashion followed by a chuckle.
"I started as a clerk," Musick says of his postal career. During the next 22 years, Musick served as a carrier, retail specialist, supervisor and in communications doing cartoons for more than 60 postal publications. Musick says he's also held other positions in Marketing and been on details working with USPS Headquarters.
"I've received personal notes and letters from three Postmaster Generals as well," he said. "They told me that I was doing a good job."
At the same time, Musick's comedic and artistry career continued to gain momentum. Clients include ABC-TV, PBS, First for Women magazine, The Walt Disney Company, The Christian Broadcasting Network, Chicken Soup for the Soul books, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Gibson Greeting Cards, Longaberger Baskets, Go.com, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Ohio's Country Journal and Medical Economics magazine.
Musick says he started drawing in elementary school and was inspired by his three
heroes — Charles Schulz, Walt Disney and his father.
heroes — Charles Schulz, Walt Disney and his father.Earl Musick provided the comedy and Miss Ohio 2009 Erica Gelhaus was the master of ceremonies at the Miss West Central Teen and Little Miss Pageant recently.
"My parents taught me to pray and go for my dreams," he said. "They always encouraged me to just keep working at whatever I wanted to do, but most of all to pray for God's Will.
"I never gave up on my dream," said Musick. "My cartoons have appeared all over the world and I became good friends with my hero Charles Schulz. He coached me throughout the years of our friendship.
"I also became a cartoonist for the Walt Disney Company," he continued. "I've become friends with many Disney artists and other cartoonist that I have admired. I was even invited to spend time at Walt Disney's childhood home with a few other Disney cartoonists."Although Musick says he was scared to death to speak in front of people when he was younger, he's now a known comedian and often MCs events. "In school, when we had to get up in front of the class, I would just get sick. Now I do stand-up comedy in front of thousands of people.
"Making people laugh is one of the greatest feelings you can experience," he said.
Musick also works as a ghost writer for syndicated comic strips and panels, and was the featured guest on a PBS special about careers in cartooning.
"With prayer, practice and persistence, dreams can come true," he added. "God is so good."
For more information about Musick check out his website at www.earlmusick.com/index.html
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