Last night I had the opportunity to play a songwriter showcase downtown at the Ideal Hotel.
That venue is one of my favorite spots to play since it is a listening-room set up. (And as I've always maintained, no one will ever like my music unless they listen to it). It was a fantastic night and I'll tell you why. Any time there is a broad range of performers, I get overwhelmed with this feeling of purpose. Why do any of us choose to lug our gear downtown, pay $15 for parking and play two songs to a small crowd of people in a dark room? Answer: Expression.
We are overwhelmed with artistic energy that needs to be released in a positive way. We are like cannons shooting fiery balls of passion into the air (yes I just said fiery balls of passion). We don't care where they land, we just have to get them out of us so we can make room for more. It is our purpose.
Top 3 Highlights of my Night (in chronological order)
1. A pleasant conversation with Gregory Page. He told me how much he loves my album. He was honest that it took him a couple of listens to go from like to love. (Like I said earlier, you really have to listen to it). He gave me a copy of his new CD and he signed it. I could have gone home happy and show hadn't even started.
2. Veronica May & the CHS Glee Club. Words can not describe. I was beaming with pride. Like, illuminated. I laughed, I cried. I know how great V is working with youth and I had even heard some of their rehearsal recordings. But watching them live just hit it home. It was infinitely better than fireworks. Such energy and excitement and love for music. I don't understand people who don't understand the importance of arts education. This ten-minute performance probably taught these teens more about the human condition than they will ever learn via standardized testing. I am so in love with V's ability to teach huge concepts through music while simultaneously bringing out the best in people. It really brings out the best in her.
3. Growing real-life friendships. My online persona is not shy. But put me in a room full of real-life flesh and bones, and I get all verklempt. I'm not a chit-chatter. I just feel awkward around people for the most part. Really self-conscious. Like there's no way they will find anything I have to say remotely interesting. It's weird, I know. BUT, last night I kind of noticed a change. Because of my slow but steady progress in the music community, I feel like I am actually making some genuine friendships. People seemed happy to see me. That gave me a serious case of the warm n' fuzzies.
I love my life. I love expressing myself through art and words and music. I love watching other people do the same.
Express yourself. Hey hey hey hey.
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